Electrical Engineering Technology

63 schools compared · Average earnings $51,472/yr

What Electrical Engineering Technology Graduates Do

Your career could begin in a research lab, using multimeters and soldering irons to build and test prototypes for new electronics. Alternatively, you might find yourself working on the power grid, maintaining the high-voltage circuit breakers and relays in substations that power our communities. Initially, you'll work under supervision, following schematics and running diagnostic tests. As you gain experience, you’ll transition to troubleshooting complex systems independently, eventually becoming a senior technician or a specialist in a high-demand field.

Paths centered on critical infrastructure, like powerhouse and substation repair, are growing steadily and offer a clear route to a six-figure income for seasoned experts. While AI tools may increasingly assist with drafting schematics or running simulations, they cannot replace your hands-on skills. The core of this work—installing, calibrating, and repairing the physical systems that run our world—will remain a fundamentally human task, ensuring your expertise stays in demand.

Schools Offering
63
Avg Grad Earnings
$51,472/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45/100
AI-Proof Rating
Resilient
58% of tasks AI-shielded
Apprenticeship Paths
37

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 37 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Electrical Engineering Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Additive 3D Printing Technician
RAPIDS 2078HY
2000-4000 hrs Hybrid $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Assembler, Electromechanical
RAPIDS 875
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $59K$70,760$87K 1.1%
Calibration Laboratory Technician
RAPIDS 895
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Commercial Drone Pilot (Existing Title: Electro-Mechanical Technicians)
RAPIDS 167
5580 hrs
~2.8 yrs
Time $59K$70,760$87K 1.1%
Corrosion-Control Fitter
RAPIDS 920
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Design Drafter, Electromec
RAPIDS 106
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $59K$73,720$92K -5.6%
Drafter, Electrical
RAPIDS 131
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $59K$73,720$92K -5.6%
Electrical Instrument Repairer
RAPIDS 157
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Electrical Technician
RAPIDS 155
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Electrician, Powerhouse
RAPIDS 163
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Electrician, Substation
RAPIDS 166
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Electromechanical Technician
RAPIDS 167
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $59K$70,760$87K 1.1%
Electromechanical Technician
RAPIDS 0167CB
Competency Competency $59K$70,760$87K 1.1%
Electronic Industrial Control Mechanic (Existing Title: Electromechanical Tech)
RAPIDS 0167R
5840 hrs
~2.9 yrs
Time $59K$70,760$87K 1.1%
Electronics Technician
RAPIDS 169
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Estimator And Drafter
RAPIDS 965
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $59K$73,720$92K -5.6%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2031HY
2736-3000 hrs Hybrid $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Industrial Manufacturing Technician (Alternate Title: Manafacturing Production Techician)
RAPIDS 2031CB
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Instrument Mech, Weapons System
RAPIDS 996
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Instrument Mechanic (Any Ind)
RAPIDS 644
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Instrument Repairer (Any Ind)
RAPIDS 775
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Instrument Technician (Utilities)
RAPIDS 252
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Instrumentation & Controls Technician (Existing Title: Instrument Technician (Utilities))
RAPIDS 0252HY
6000-8000 hrs Hybrid $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Instrumentation Technician
RAPIDS 255
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
It Lab Technician
RAPIDS 0169CB
Competency Competency $61K$77,180$95K 0.6%
Laboratory Asst, Metallurgical
RAPIDS 621
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Non-Destructive Tester
RAPIDS 1010CL
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Nondestructive Testing (Ndt) (Existing Title: Non-Destructive Tester) (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1010R
5920 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Optics Manufacturing Technician
RAPIDS 2045CB
Competency Competency $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Recording Engineer
RAPIDS 926
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $48K$66,430$100K -1.7%
Relay Technician
RAPIDS 975
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Research Mechanic (Aircraft)
RAPIDS 788
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $65K$79,830$102K 8.1%
Sound Mixer
RAPIDS 527
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $48K$66,430$100K -1.7%
Test Equipment Mechanic
RAPIDS 190
10000 hrs
~5.0 yrs
Time $65K$79,830$102K 8.1%
Welding Technician
RAPIDS 498
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $60K$77,390$98K 1.5%
Wind Tunnel Mechanic
RAPIDS 499
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $65K$79,830$102K 8.1%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Electrical Engineering Technology

Top 20 of 63 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Stark State College
North Canton, OH
71
67–73
$109,198/yr 115.9x
2 Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
71
67–73
$69,924/yr 147.6x
3 Victoria College
Victoria, TX
71
65–73
$63,908/yr 154.6x
4 Dallas College
Dallas, TX
71
66–73
$59,679/yr 250.8x
5 Bismarck State College
Bismarck, ND
70
65–72
$89,460/yr 108.8x
6 Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
69
65–71
$60,381/yr 128.7x
7 Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL
69
64–71
$60,039/yr 132.0x
8 Dallas College
Dallas, TX
69
64–70
$59,057/yr 89.9x
9 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg, SC
68
61–70
$67,406/yr 92.8x
10 Danville Community College
Danville, VA
68
64–70
$57,533/yr 100.4x
11 Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA
67
63–68
$56,971/yr 98.7x
12 Jefferson Community and Technical College
Louisville, KY
66
63–68
$71,070/yr 74.5x
13 Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE
66
61–68
$56,906/yr 99.9x
14 Austin Community College District
Austin, TX
66
62–68
$51,640/yr 108.1x
15 Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA
65
62–67
$68,590/yr 60.1x
16 Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN
65
56–67
$52,424/yr 92.5x
17 Greenville Technical College
Greenville, SC
64
60–65
$69,797/yr 60.9x
18 Valencia College
Orlando, FL
63
56–65
$40,388/yr 126.7x
19 New River Community College
Dublin, VA
62
59–64
$60,183/yr 61.2x
20 Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
62
57–65
$54,852/yr 70.9x

Highest Earning Electrical Engineering Technology Programs

Schools where Electrical Engineering Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Electrical Engineering Technology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Electrical Engineering Technology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Dallas College 250.8x $59,679/yr 71
Victoria College 154.6x $63,908/yr 71
Bluegrass Community and Technical College 147.6x $69,924/yr 71
Indian River State College 132.0x $60,039/yr 69
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College 128.7x $60,381/yr 69
Valencia College 126.7x $40,388/yr 63
Stark State College 115.9x $109,198/yr 71
Bismarck State College 108.8x $89,460/yr 70
Austin Community College District 108.1x $51,640/yr 66
Danville Community College 100.4x $57,533/yr 68

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Electrical Engineering Technology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the typical salary after a Electrical Engineering Technology program?
Across 63 schools, Electrical Engineering Technology graduates earn an average of $51,472 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $20,904 to $109,198 depending on the school.
How safe is Electrical Engineering Technology from automation and AI?
Our analysis rates Electrical Engineering Technology as "Resilient" for automation risk. With 58% of tasks requiring physical presence or manual skill, most the work in this trade remains beyond AI's reach.
What's the top-ranked school for Electrical Engineering Technology?
Stark State College leads all 63 programs with a TradeSchoolOutlook Score of 71/100. Graduates earn $109,198/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.
What's the ROI on a Electrical Engineering Technology program?
The average 10-year earnings multiple is 61.5x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →