What Does an Electronics Technician Do?
Schematics and a soldering iron are the everyday tools of an electronics technician, whose job is to find the failed part and fix it. Most repairs happen at the bench, where technicians replace parts and calibrate instruments, but service calls also take them to research labs, broadcast studios and production lines. Senior grades lead other technicians.
Also known as: Electronics Maintenance Engineer
Electronics Technician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an electronics technician include:
- Diagnose faulty equipment using schematics, multimeters and oscilloscopes.
- Replace failed boards and components, including surface-mount parts, with careful soldering.
- Calibrate lab and test instruments on schedule and keep calibration records.
- Install and maintain audio-visual, security or control systems in campus buildings.
- Build prototype circuits and test fixtures from engineers' drawings.
- Perform preventive maintenance on power supplies, amplifiers and scientific equipment.
- Order parts, track inventory and log each repair in the work order system.
- Test repaired units against manufacturer specifications before returning them to service.
- Respond to urgent service calls when research or teaching equipment fails.
- Train junior technicians and equipment users on safe operation and basic care.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an electronics technician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Soldering, including surface-mount rework
- Reading schematics and wiring diagrams
- Test equipment: multimeters, oscilloscopes and signal generators
- Electrical safety and lockout practices
- Certified Electronics Technician (CET) credential, a plus
- Logical, step-by-step troubleshooting
- Basic programming for microcontrollers
- Clear repair notes
Education and Training
Electronics technology programs at community colleges, which lead to an associate degree, train most new technicians. Others learn electronics in the military or move up from installer jobs. Some employers ask for certification as well. Senior technician, shop supervisor and field service engineer posts open up with experience.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $61,610 - $97,650 per year, with a median of $78,190.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
BLS projects employment of electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians to grow about 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. Openings should total roughly 8,100 a year. Bear in mind that you are more likely to stay busy if you can repair equipment that costs too much to replace.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians.