What Does it Take to Be an Electrical Engineering Technologist?
Career Description Assist electrical engineers in such activities as process control, electrical power distribution, or instrumentation design. May prepare layouts of electrical transmission or distribution systems, supervise the flow of work, estimate project costs, or participate in research studies.
What Do Electrical Engineering Technologists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Assist engineers and scientists in conducting applied research in electrical engineering.
- Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
- Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
- Create or modify electrical components to be used in renewable energy generation.
- Diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electrical components, assemblies, or systems.
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Qualities of an Electrical Engineering Technologist
These are the skills Electrical Engineering Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Electrical Engineering Technologist
- Engineering Technologist
- Design Tech
- Electrical Design Technologist
- Technologist, Development
- Layout Designer
Electrical Engineering Technologist Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 76,800 jobs in the United States for Electrical Engineering Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,000 new jobs for Electrical Engineering Technologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Electrical Engineering Technologist are Utah, Nevada, and Connecticut. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, West Virginia, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Electrical Engineering Technologist Average Salary
Electrical Engineering Technologists make between $36,120 and $98,720 a year.

Electrical Engineering Technologists who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Maine, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electrical Engineering Technologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $59,380 |
Alaska | $71,850 |
Arizona | $59,210 |
Arkansas | $60,310 |
California | $71,420 |
Colorado | $63,590 |
Connecticut | $64,510 |
Delaware | $51,380 |
District of Columbia | $92,600 |
Florida | $58,860 |
Georgia | $59,830 |
Hawaii | $76,070 |
Idaho | $55,540 |
Illinois | $63,760 |
Indiana | $58,450 |
Iowa | $57,620 |
Kansas | $65,870 |
Kentucky | $58,880 |
Louisiana | $59,930 |
Maine | $79,670 |
Maryland | $84,790 |
Massachusetts | $64,220 |
Michigan | $64,270 |
Minnesota | $57,440 |
Mississippi | $60,500 |
Missouri | $59,830 |
Montana | $59,810 |
Nebraska | $57,630 |
Nevada | $71,330 |
New Hampshire | $57,730 |
New Jersey | $75,380 |
New Mexico | $78,160 |
New York | $63,780 |
North Carolina | $63,600 |
North Dakota | $75,030 |
Ohio | $61,060 |
Oklahoma | $63,790 |
Oregon | $56,890 |
Pennsylvania | $57,210 |
Rhode Island | $73,240 |
South Carolina | $70,820 |
South Dakota | $51,110 |
Tennessee | $57,800 |
Texas | $66,630 |
Utah | $56,480 |
Vermont | $58,960 |
Virginia | $77,280 |
Washington | $74,810 |
West Virginia | $70,550 |
Wisconsin | $58,780 |
Wyoming | $67,110 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electrical Engineering Technologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electrical Engineering Technologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- UNIX
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- C
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Bentley Microstation
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
- Microsoft Visual Basic.NET
- The MathWorks Simulink
- Simulation software
How do I Become an Electrical Engineering Technologist?
Are there Electrical Engineering Technologists education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Electrical Engineering Technologists Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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