The Average Starting Salary of an Engineer Technician

Engineering technicians help design new products.

Engineering technicians work in conjunction with engineers and scientists to solve technical problems in their respective engineering fields. They conduct research, inspect products, conduct tests, collect data and record results. Many are responsible for quality control or are involved in product design or production. Engineering technicians typically work a 40-hour work week in offices or in manufacturing or industrial plants. Because of the complexity of their work, they are paid very respectable salaries.

Earnings

Engineering technicians are found in many engineering fields. Because the type of work they do varies considerably, it is necessary to break down their earnings by specialty. Aerospace engineering technicians, for example, maintain and test aircraft and spacecraft equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these technicians earn an annual median salary of $55,040 as of May 2008. Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in the production of highways, bridges, dams and other structures and earn an annual median wage of $44,290 as of May 2008. Other techs such as industrial, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering technicians earn wages ranging from $47,180 to $53,240 as of May 2008.

Industry

Telecommunications carriers employ the most engineering technicians. Within this industry, electric and electronic engineering technicians earn an annual median salary of $53,240 as of May 2008. Electric and electronic engineering technicians who earn the most in this industry make more than $78,560 while those who make the least earn less than $32,490. Other industries that employ a large number of engineering technicians include semiconductor and electric component manufacturers, navigational and control instrument manufacturers as well as architectural and engineering firms.

Education

Engineering technicians typically hold an associate's degree or higher in their respective engineering field. They receive their training and education in technical schools or community colleges and are taught the fundamentals of engineering technology. Some associate's degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. College courses typically include college algebra and trigonometry as well as basic science. Technicians who go into specialized fields often receive additional training in areas including design, electrical units and digital electronics.

Employment

Employment of engineering technicians overall is expected to grow by 5 percent through 2018, according to the BLS. Some engineering fields are projected to grow faster than others. For example, environmental engineering technicians held approximately 21,200 jobs in 2008 and employment in the field is expected to grow by 30 percent through 2018, faster than any other engineering technician job. The BLS indicates that employment in specialties such as electrical and mechanical engineering is expected to decline through 2018 due to the increased manufacturing of electro-mechanical products such as unmanned aircraft and robotic equipment.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Engineering Technicians