Summary Report for:
17-3029.02 - Electrical Engineering Technologists
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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Education | Interests | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks
- Calculate design specifications or cost, material, and resource estimates, and prepare project schedules and budgets.
- Design or modify engineering schematics for electrical transmission and distribution systems or for electrical installation in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Install or maintain electrical control systems, industrial automation systems, or electrical equipment, including control circuits, variable speed drives, or programmable logic controllers.
- Review electrical engineering plans to ensure adherence to design specifications and compliance with applicable electrical codes and standards.
- Supervise the construction or testing of electrical prototypes, according to general instructions and established standards.
- Compile and maintain records documenting engineering schematics, installed equipment, installation or operational problems, resources used, repairs, or corrective action performed.
- Review installation or quality assurance documentation.
- Review, develop, and prepare maintenance standards.
- Set up and operate standard or specialized testing equipment.
- Diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electrical components, assemblies, or systems.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Laboratory mechanical convection ovens — Reflow ovens |
| Multimeters |
| Power meters — Power quality analyzers |
| Signal generators — Function generators |
| Voltage or current meters — Analog current meters; Digital voltmeters DVM; Standing wave ratio SWR meters |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — BSVC; OctTools *; PTC Mathcad; Wolfram Research Mathematica |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Bentley Microstation; PUFF; Tanner Research L-Edit |
| Development environment software — C; Microchip MPLAB Integrated Development Environment *; Motorola Digital Signal Processing DSP Assembler; National Instruments LabVIEW |
| Object or component oriented development software — C++; Microsoft Visual Basic.NET |
| Operating system software — Linux; UNIX |
* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.
Education
This occupation may require a background in the following science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational disciplines:
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
| 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. |
| Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| 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. |
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.
Industry data collected from Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other.
| Median wages (2010) | $27.89 hourly, $58,020 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 77,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 18,500 |
| Top industries (2008) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Engineering technicians
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.