What is 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.

A Day in the Life of an Electrical Engineering Technologist

• Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
• Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.
• Build or test electrical components of electric-drive vehicles or prototype vehicles.
• Assemble or test solar photovoltaic products, such as inverters or energy management systems.
• Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
• Participate in the development or testing of electrical aspects of new green technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, or energy efficient televisions.

Skills Needed to be an Electrical Engineering Technologist

When polled, Electrical Engineering Technologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Types of Electrical Engineering Technologist Jobs

• Demand Technologist
• Generation Engineering Technologist
• Engineering Tech
• Technologist, Development
• Technologist

Job Outlook for Electrical Engineering Technologists

In the United States, there were 76,800 jobs for Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,000 new jobs for Electrical Engineering Technologists 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 Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters are Texas, California, and Arizona.

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.

Salary for Electrical Engineering Technologists

The salary for Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters ranges between about $36,120 and $98,720 a year. An Electrical Engineering Technologist median salary is $63,200.

How much do Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$92,600
Maryland	$84,790
Maine	$79,670
New Mexico	$78,160
Virginia	$77,280
Hawaii	$76,070
New Jersey	$75,380
North Dakota	$75,030
Washington	$74,810
Rhode Island	$73,240
Alaska	$71,850
California	$71,420
Nevada	$71,330
South Carolina	$70,820
West Virginia	$70,550
Wyoming	$67,110
Texas	$66,630
Kansas	$65,870
Connecticut	$64,510
Michigan	$64,270
Massachusetts	$64,220
Oklahoma	$63,790
New York	$63,780
Illinois	$63,760
North Carolina	$63,600
Colorado	$63,590
Ohio	$61,060
Mississippi	$60,500
Arkansas	$60,310
Louisiana	$59,930
Missouri	$59,830
Georgia	$59,830
Montana	$59,810
Alabama	$59,380
Arizona	$59,210
Vermont	$58,960
Kentucky	$58,880
Florida	$58,860
Wisconsin	$58,780
Indiana	$58,450
Tennessee	$57,800
New Hampshire	$57,730
Nebraska	$57,630
Iowa	$57,620
Minnesota	$57,440
Pennsylvania	$57,210
Oregon	$56,890
Utah	$56,480
Idaho	$55,540
Delaware	$51,380
South Dakota	$51,110

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 Project
• UNIX
• Microsoft Access
• CST Microwave Studio
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Bentley Microstation
• National Instruments Multisim
• Agilent Advanced Design System ADS

Becoming an Electrical Engineering Technologist

Learn what Electrical Engineering Technologist education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Electrical Engineering Technologist?

Where Electrical Engineering Technologists Are Employed

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons