Do engineering technicians make good money?

Yes, engineering technicians make good money. The average salary is $61,000 a year, making it a higher-paying job. Like any other career, how much money you make depends on the area you specialize in.

How long does it take to become an engineer tech?

It takes about two years to become an engineering technician. You will need to obtain an associate's degree, which usually takes two years. Students will learn about subjects like thermodynamics, mechanical design, environmental regulations, and more during an engineering technology program.

What degree do you need to be an engineering technician?

You need an associate's degree to become an engineering technician. While engineering programs typically focus on higher-level courses in calculus and theoretical science, engineering technology programs dedicate more time to more practical types of mathematics.

What is the difference between an engineer and an engineering technician?

The difference between an engineer and an engineering technician is technicians focus on the applied and practicalities of engineering principles. In contrast, engineers deal with the theoretical aspects of mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles.

How To Become An Engineering Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is an engineering technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Joseph Reichenberger PE [CA AZ HI NM NV], BCEE, F.ASCE

An engineering technician applies science, engineering, and mathematical principles to solve technical problems. They work alongside others to design, develop, test, and maintain products, systems, and technologies. Engineering technicians use specialized tools, software, and equipment to collect data, conduct experiments, and analyze results. They also help prepare technical reports, proposals, and presentations. In addition to technical expertise, engineering technicians have communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They may work in manufacturing, electronics, construction, telecommunications, or aerospace.

What general advice would you give to an Engineering Technician?

Joseph Reichenberger PE [CA AZ HI NM NV], BCEE, F.ASCE

Professor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, Website

I can only speak to a civil engineering graduate. Investigate all employment opportunities that are looking for entry-level civil engineers, even if it is not your "preferred subdiscipline." Work through the university career center; subscribe to blogs and organization newsletters (Linked-in etc. too) that contain industry news and job notices. Before you apply, research the company on the web. What new projects have they picked up? Or "I noticed you do a lot of xxx type projects. I'd really like to work on this type, and have focused my education toward those types of projects." Make sure this is in your cover letter and focus the resume toward that. This means that each resume and cover letter you send out has to be customized.

If you get to an interview, do more research so you can speak intelligently about the company or organization you are interviewing with. Be attentive; look the interviewer in the eyes and be confident. If you get the job and it's close to what you were looking for, accept it and try it out. The important thing for an entry-level engineer is to get experience. I believe it is important to not try to find the "perfect job" because that may leave you in the cold.

I had a mechanical engineering graduate come to me as part of an honor society faculty interview a number of years ago. After chatting a while, I asked the student what he wanted to do when he graduated. He told me he wanted to design roller coasters. I told him I think that's great, but there are probably only about 3 or 4 jobs like that in the U.S. Don't be that particular. Then I went on to tell him that when I got out of school I worked for the County of Los Angeles designing drains and channels and there was a colleague with about the same experience I had and he told me he was leaving and taking a job near Lake Tahoe. I told him sounds like a great location; what are you going to do? He told me he was going to a firm that designs ski lifts, something he was fascinated with. The advice here is to never lose sight of your goal, but there may be a few "stops" along the way.

ScoreEngineering TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.7

Avg. Salary $60,273

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.4

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 9.21%

Black or African American 9.48%

Hispanic or Latino 16.72%

Unknown 4.88%

White 59.03%

Gender

female 14.11%

male 85.89%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress Level

7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.2

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.4

Work Life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Engineering Technician?

Pros

Ability to see your work come to life in physical form
Good salary and benefits packages
Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and equipment
Continuous learning and skill-building opportunities
Potential to make a difference in improving society through innovation

Cons

Long hours and tight deadlines may lead to high stress levels
Exposure to hazardous materials and equipment may pose safety risks
Work may involve physically demanding tasks such as climbing ladders or operating heavy machinery
Work may require travel or relocation, leading to instability in personal life
Lack of recognition or appreciation for efforts put into projects

Newest jobs for Engineering Technician in Columbus, OH

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Key steps to become an engineering technician

Explore engineering technician education requirements

Most common engineering technician degrees

Bachelor's

45.9 %

Associate

36.4 %

High School Diploma

7.0 %

Start to develop specific engineering technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Technical Support	5.08%
Data Collection	4.43%
Test Equipment	4.31%
Asphalt	4.16%
Construction Projects	4.11%

Complete relevant engineering technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New engineering technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an engineering technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real engineering technician resumes.

Research engineering technician duties and responsibilities

Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
Achieve UL certification for thermal overload protection used in motor applications.
Manage equipment database and organize annual equipment calibration require by internal quality control and ISO standards.
Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.

Prepare your engineering technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your engineering technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an engineering technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Engineering Technician Resume templates

Build a professional Engineering Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Engineering Technician resume.

Apply for engineering technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an engineering technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Engineering Technician Job

Fernando Valenzuela

Engineering Technician

First I started my career as Industrial Engineer back in 2014, and i was working in a veterinarian shop as assistant and then i was a little anxious about getting close to my field and i started applying on different companies as intern, and got my first job as production intern in a company called bourns where i was in the production floor learning the processes and started getting involved between engineers and supervisors and as i was asked in the interview the project i was assigned to was line balancing so i did a project about it and got experience for 1 year, after that my contract was over, so i had to look for another job and found one as quality intern in the company called parker, the interview was a little longer but it was alright because i was asked some questions that i had known very well, and got the job, i was working very close with the quality manager who was my boss and he was very helpful explaining everything and i started contributing to different projects, after a year my contact was due and asked my manager for another contract and explained that i have worked very comfortable and i was very motivated for future challenges, he asked me for time to review with management so i waited about two weeks and then i asked him again about updates, he told me that it was on hold since there was no response but it was on priority to resolve, i waited a week more and got a response that i could get a permanent position as engineering technician in the same company, so i was so happy and started immediately.

How do engineering technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

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1 Star

Engineering Technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021

Pros

I like to work with my hands repairing electronic equipment because I feel rewards

Cons

Nothing

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021

Pros

I love my job as an industrial scale tech. my pay is higher than what this says but I believe I am worth more than what I make. What makes this job enjoyable is I get to go to several different type of manufacturing companies and see all types of things made. Then go to the store and get to tell my wife and kids that I help make that product.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

Diagnosing problems and faults. Debugging and troubleshooting medical equipment.

Cons

When I do. Not accomplish my goals or tasks do not complete my work.

What is an engineering technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an Engineering Technician?

What are the pros and cons of being an Engineering Technician?

Newest jobs for Engineering Technician in Columbus, OH

Engineering Technician career paths

Key steps to become an engineering technician

Explore engineering technician education requirements

Most common engineering technician degrees

Start to develop specific engineering technician skills

Complete relevant engineering technician training and internships

Research engineering technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your engineering technician resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Engineering Technician Resume templates

Apply for engineering technician jobs

How Did You Land Your First Engineering Technician Job

Average engineering technician salary

How do engineering technicians rate their job?

Engineering Technician reviews

Engineering Technician FAQs

Do engineering technicians make good money?

How long does it take to become an engineer tech?

What degree do you need to be an engineering technician?

What is the difference between an engineer and an engineering technician?

Search for engineering technician jobs

Engineering Technician jobs by state