Electronics Engineering Technicians

Average employment growth of 3 percent is expected for electrical and electronics engineering technicians through 2033, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.Foreign competition and increasing automation will reduce new opportunities for these technicians.

One area of growth is computer systems design and related services. Multimedia and interactive products are expanding rapidly, and many new products are expected in the coming years. Examples include cellular phones, computers, and the Global Positioning System technologies that are being included in vehicles. In addition, increasing automation and computer-assisted manufacturing processes rely on advanced electronic technology. Electromedical and biomedical subfields dealing with technical hospital machines have also been identified as high-demand areas.

Prospective electronics technicians should begin paying attention to certain factors that might affect the areas in which they are thinking of working. For example, workers planning to work for the military or for a military contractor or subcontractor in radar technology need to keep an eye on federal legislation concerning military spending cuts or increases.