Summary Report for:
17-3029.04 - Electronics Engineering Technologists
Apply engineering theory and technical skills to support electronics engineering activities such as electronics systems and instrumentation design and digital signal processing.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Interests | Work Values | Wages & Employment
Tasks
- Analyze and implement engineering designs for producing electronic devices and systems and microprocessor-based control applications, applying principles of mathematics, digital signal processing, network analysis, and computer engineering.
- Conduct or supervise the installation and operation of electronic equipment and systems.
- Evaluate machine and process control requirements and develop device and controller specifications suited to operating environments.
- Supervise the building and testing of prototypes of electronics circuits, equipment, and systems.
- Inspect newly installed equipment to adjust or correct operating problems.
- Integrate software and hardware components using computer, microprocessor, and control architecture.
- Produce electronics drawings and other graphics representing industrial control, instrumentation, sensors, or analog and digital telecommunications networks using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Replace defective components and parts using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Select electronics equipment, components, and systems to meet functional specifications.
- Set up and operate specialized and standard test equipment to diagnose, test, and analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, and systems.
Interests
Interest code: RIC
| Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
| Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
| Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
Work Values
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
| Median wages (2008) | $27.33 hourly, $56,850 annual |
| Employment (2006) | 82,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) | 
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) | 18,000 additional employees |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data
and 2006-2016 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.