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- Is Electronic Components A Good Career Path
Find a Job You Really Want In
Yes, Electronic Components is a good career path. Electronics are essential to a variety of different fields. Because working with electronics is typically a specialized field, those working in electronic components are often in high demand and paid well. You may even get the opportunity to travel while working with electronic components.
Jobs in this field often require a secondary education; however, many fields in electronic components offer high starting salaries after graduation as compared to other fields. This can help sustain you after graduating and paying off your loans. Working with electronic components arms you with essential skills like problem-solving.
The 8 Best-Paying Jobs in Electronic Components
Working with electronic components is a highly skilled field which means many of the career opportunities are well-paid. The highest paying jobs in electronic components typically require some level of engineering skill, which means you’ll need to have both experience and education or certification for this skill to succeed in this career.
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Mixed Signal Design Engineer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A mixed signal design engineer is an individual who contributes to the success of the lifecycle of a mixed signal integrated circuit. This may include designing analog cells, performing verification tasks, validation and simulation of device assembly, and improving upon an existing block system.
Mixed signal design engineers may also be responsible for client support and maintenance. This job requires individuals to work closely with their team on interface technology as well as collaborate on things such as technical reports, whitepapers, and user documents.
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Average Annual Salary: $105,000
A circuit design engineer is an individual who develops electronic circuitry found in analog devices. These can include computers, smartphones, televisions, or other similar items. As an engineer in this field, you’ll want to be up-to-date and knowledgeable about the latest advances in circuits.
This job requires the engineer to develop circuit equipment and troubleshoot any issues after installation. They may also be required to supervise the entire manufacturing process in plants and factories to ensure the equipment operates safely and as intended and to perform cost assessments.
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Average Annual Salary: $123,000
A principal electrical engineer is an individual who serves as the project manager for any electrical-related building or construction projects. They may design electrical devices, ensure proper installation, inspect final work, and provide work estimates to clients.
They may also be required to supervise junior staff, oversee their work, and ensure all deadlines are met within budget. Principal electrical engineers can sometimes act as the liaison between engineering and leadership teams, typically creating reports and communicating updates between the two teams.
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DCS Engineer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A DCS engineer, or distributed control system engineer, is responsible for operating said system to implement process management and control solutions. They may work in the field at power stations, manufacturing plants, or other industrial plants. They must work in high-pressure environments, responding to emergencies calmly.
Other job duties may include DCS systems, troubleshooting problems, and developing and executing improved processes. This is a highly skilled job, and candidates must have qualifications in communication, management, and computers, as well as deep knowledge and experience working in a DCS environment.
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Average Annual Salary: $106,000
Senior electrical engineers are individuals who design, develop, implement, and test new electrical equipment and machinery, such as electric cars, electronics, or appliances. Some electrical engineers may be skilled in customizing existing equipment or machinery for special needs.
Senior electrical engineers may be tasked with overseeing a team of junior engineers as well. A master’s degree in this profession is typically preferable, as well as extensive experience in an electrical engineering environment. Additional licensure and certification may also be required depending on your industry.
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Power Electronics Engineer
Average Annual Salary: N/A
A power electronics engineer is an individual who designs and tests circuits to use in power electronic systems. This means you’ll be working closely with circuits and other electronic equipment, components, or systems. This branch of electrical engineering can be tough but has been said to be one of the most rewarding branches.
In this role, power electronics engineers may be tasked with developing prototypes, finding solutions for any identified flaws in mechanical designs and operations, and collaborating closely with other teams and engineers to perform cross-functional tasks while testing the designs.
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Average Annual Salary: $91,000
A PCB designer, or a Printed Circuit Board designer, is an individual who is responsible for overseeing the design and development of said Printed Circuit Boards. To do this, they use computer software to create layouts and 3D models of circuit boards and ensure it is functional.
Printed circuit boards are used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways. These types of circuit boards make it possible for our society to use computers, television, microwaves, mobile phones, and other modern technology.
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Average Annual Salary: $90,000
A control engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and managing control dynamic systems in large organizations. They are the individuals who keep stability to systems that are ever-changing, working on everything from dishwashers to airplanes. These systems are designed to function without human intervention.
Control systems engineers must oversee monitoring equipment, control systems, and machinery to make sure processes are run safely and efficiently. These individuals would have in-depth knowledge of the processes they want to produce, which means they should also be able to work well with broader teams.
7 Entry-Level Jobs in Electronic Components
When you’re just starting out in your electronic components career, it may seem daunting or even unattainable. But everyone in this industry started somewhere, and most jobs will offer apprenticeships or certification programs to help you get started. An associate’s degree is not always required but can help you stand out from the competition even at entry-level.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
A computer technician is an individual who repairs and maintains all kinds of computers and servers. This may mean they must resolve simple everyday issues, such as building or configuring new hardware, installing and updating software, and creating and maintaining different computer networks.
Computer technicians must be proficient at troubleshooting and well-versed in different computer languages and codes. Because computers are virtually everywhere in our world today, computer technicians are often in high demand in a variety of different industries making this a great career to pursue.
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Average Annual Salary: $53,000
Electrician technicians are individuals who help assemble and maintain electronic wiring and recruitment, as well as maintain electrical systems and prevent technological crises. Electrician technicians can specialize in a field from telecommunications to the maintenance of special equipment.
Electrician technicians must have great attention to detail as they must carefully read electrical design plans, evaluate the overall system, and troubleshoot any identified issues. They may also oversee a team of other electricians. This is a job where a bachelor’s degree is not necessarily required, but apprenticeships are encouraged.
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Average Annual Salary: $45,000
Electronics technicians are individuals who help to design, develop, test, manufacture, install, and repair electrical and electronic equipment. This can include things like communication equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and computers.
Electronics technicians can be responsible for product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment. They may also work for manufacturers, wholesalers, or retailers by giving advice on installations, operations, and overall maintenance of their complex equipment.
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Average Annual Salary: $44,000
Repair technicians are individuals who are responsible for assessing a problem or damage to a specific device and coming up with the solution for it to function again. This job can vary widely depending on the industry, but the core responsibilities revolve around troubleshooting, providing support, and working with clients.
Repair technicians may work individually or in a team setting, depending on the job. They may be responsible for installing and writing programs, detaching and reattaching wirings, welding, providing technical or digital support, and more. This job can be found in many different fields, which allows for great opportunities.
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Average Annual Salary: $57,000
Maintenance electricians are individuals who are responsible for the upkeep of an electrical system, typically for a building. They must inspect the premises regularly, conduct maintenance, perform any necessary repairs, and fix any faulty wiring if necessary. They may also install new electrical appliances.
These individuals may also need to review blueprints to understand wiring placement, respond to customer requests, and adhere to safety and performance standards. This job can be obtained with a high school diploma or GED so long as the individual has an electrician qualification certificate.
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Average Annual Salary: N/A
Software engineers are individuals who work in computer science and use their knowledge of engineering principles and programming languages to build software products, develop computer games, or run network control systems. As the world continues to turn digital, this job will only grow in demand.
Typically this job requires a two or four-year degree in computer sciences; however, with the development of coding boot camps, many can quickly transition into these roles with the completion of said course. These can be intensive eight to 30-week programs that train you on practical, language-specific programming skills.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
A field installation technician is an individual who fixes problems, makes repairs, and installs things for clients in order to keep them running smoothly. These individuals can work in residential or commercial areas and provide service and customer support during this time.
Field installation technicians must be able to work on their feet, diagnosing errors or technical problems and determining proper solutions. They must also create detailed service reports, document processes, and operate their vehicles in a safe manner. This is a customer-facing job, so they must also have excellent service skills.
Why Choose a Career in Electronic Components?
Electronic components appear in virtually every single industry on the globe. This means working in this field can greatly expand your choice of opportunities and give you a unique chance to work wherever you please. Here are some other great reasons to choose a career in electronic components.
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Transferable skills. In electronic components, you’ll learn skills that aren’t just applicable to your profession but applicable to everyday things as well. You can fix and diagnose complex issues for different devices and create your own solutions to household problems if you feel so inclined.
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New technology. Technology and methodology always change, and there’s a high chance the way you work will too. This keeps things exciting and allows you the opportunity to learn new skills.
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Improve and help others. Working with electronic components means the majority of your tasks are based around improving systems that boost the quality of life of your clients. This can have a big effect on someone’s life.
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Job security. The skills you learn on the job are essential to most other careers in electronic components. This is a highly sought-after skill, meaning your opportunities will be endless, and you can enjoy job security until retirement if you so wish.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Electronic Components
Depending on where you want to start, education and certification requirements can vary significantly in electronic components. You’ll want to be sure this is a career well suited for you, and one of the best ways to do that is to understand the education requirements for this field.
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A college degree is required for engineering. If you want to become an engineer who works with electrical components, consider a degree in electrical or electronic engineering.
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Licensure can set you apart from the competition. In order to stand out against your competition, consider becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). This is optional but can arm you with important skills as well as credibility.
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An associate’s degree is preferred for entry-level jobs. This can include a postsecondary diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree.
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Apprenticeships are available for this field and can greatly benefit you with hands-on experience when entering this field.
What Do People Working In Electronic Components Do?
Working with electronic components varies greatly by the job. Electronics, in general, can do a number of important things that keep our society running today. Everything from radio and television to the Internet and cell phones all benefits from sophisticated digital electronic technology.
Working in electronics means you can work on everything, from the technology that helps airplanes land to fixing a broken smartphone, meaning your work will never be boring. Individuals working in this field can also choose to find a specialty where they can hone finer skills and find lucrative client work while enjoying what they do.
- Good Career Path
- Is Life Insurance A Good Career Path
- Is Medical Specialties A Good Career Path
- Is Other Specialty Stores A Good Career Path
- Is Water Supply A Good Career Path
- Is Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries A Good Career Path
- Is Paper A Good Career Path
- Is Environmental Services A Good Career Path
- Is Specialty Chemicals A Good Career Path
- Is Retail Building Materials A Good Career Path
- Is Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service A Good Career Path
- Is Apparel A Good Career Path
- Is Fluid Controls A Good Career Path
- Is Television Services A Good Career Path
- Is Steel/Iron Ore A Good Career Path
- Is Advertising A Good Career Path
- Is Public Utilities A Good Career Path
- Is Food Chains A Good Career Path
- Is Savings Institutions A Good Career Path
- Is Medical/Dental Instruments A Good Career Path
- Is Military/Government/Technical A Good Career Path
- Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path
- Is Ordnance And Accessories A Good Career Path
- Is Other Pharmaceuticals A Good Career Path
- Is Wholesale Distributors A Good Career Path
- Is Building Products A Good Career Path
- Is Electronic Components A Good Career Path
Author
Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
