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

What is a junior engineering technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

John Irwin EdD

The average junior engineering technician salary is $55,455. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an electrical engineering major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a junior engineering technician. Junior engineering technicians with a Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 2,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a junior engineering technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreJunior Engineering TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.3

Avg. Salary $55,455

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.4

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%

Asian 9.02%

Black or African American 9.37%

Hispanic or Latino 16.51%

Unknown 4.87%

White 59.55%

Gender

female 15.79%

male 84.21%

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

Key steps to become a junior engineering technician

Explore junior engineering technician education requirements

Most common junior engineering technician degrees

Bachelor's

48.4 %

Associate

31.9 %

High School Diploma

9.9 %

Start to develop specific junior engineering technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Prototype	60.90%
Engineering Drawings	8.07%
Auto CAD	5.19%
Test Equipment	4.63%
SMT	4.32%

Complete relevant junior engineering technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior 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 a junior engineering technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior engineering technician resumes.

Research junior engineering technician duties and responsibilities

Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
Design software applications by creating a sequence of operations from start to finish for large HVAC applications.
Perform tests on RF and digital electronic assemblies and systems to characterize performance, uncover specification deficiencies and repair damage circuitry.
Work on non-classify and highly-classify scientific instruments using certify NASA soldering procedures.

Apply for junior engineering technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a junior 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