Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Protective relay technician education requirements
There are several educational requirements to become a protective relay technician. Protective relay technicians usually study electrical engineering, industrial technology, or electrical engineering technology. 56% of protective relay technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 44% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 14 real protective relay technician resumes to see exactly what protective relay technician education sections show.
The most common colleges for protective relay technicians are the University of Massachusetts - Lowell and the University of Massachusetts - Lowell.
There are also many online protective relay technician courses to help get the education required to be a protective relay technician.
What education do you need to become a protective relay technician?
What degree do you need to be a protective relay technician?
- Bachelor's, 56%
- Associate, 44%
What should I major in to become a protective relay technician?
- Biology, 10%
- Other Majors, 20%
Most common colleges for protective relay technicians
| Protective relay technician common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts - Lowell | 66.67% |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | 33.33% |
Best majors for protective relay technicians
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 30.0% |
| 2 | Industrial Technology | 20.0% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 20.0% |
| 4 | Biology | 10.0% |
| 5 | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance And Repair Technology | 10.0% |
Best colleges for protective relay technicians
The best colleges for protective relay technicians are Northeastern University, Tufts University, and Boston University.
A protective relay technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for protective relay technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become protective relay technicians.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$6,686
Enrollment
11,139
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
5. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Enrollment
4,169
8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Enrollment
2,120
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for protective relay technicians
1. Electrical Control & Protection Systems
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
2. Ultimate Power Electronics and Electrical Protection Bundle
The largest and most comprehensive bundle on power electronics and electrical protection for electrical engineering...
3. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection
Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...
4. Electrical Control & Protection Systems part 2
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...
5. Electrical Control & Protection Part 4
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
6. Electrical Control & Protection Part 3
This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical network...
7. Electronic & Electrical Devices Maintenance & Troubleshooting
This course will give you everything you need to start playing with electronics components and fix electronic devices...
8. Ultimate Electrical Power Protection, Control & Switchgear
Your Complete guide in industrial power system protection for switchgears and substations- from Beginner to Expert Level...
9. Electric Circuits for Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Start your career in electrical & electronics engineering by learning everything about electric circuits and electronics...
10. Basic Electricity and Electronics
For beginners or interested as a hobby, everything for basic electricity and electronics is in this course...
11. Electricity for Electronics, Electrical Engineering A-Z 2023
Fundamentals of Electricity & Electric Circuits for Electronics - Circuit Design - Electrical Engineering...
12. The Complete Basic Electricity & Electronics Course
Learn how Electricity, Electronic Components and Circuits work. Join over 5,000 happy students!...
13. Electrical Engineering: Power Electronics Masterclass
Further your knowledge in power engineering by learning to design rectifiers, dc-to-dc converters, and inverters...
14. Ultimate Electricity Generation, HV, and Substations Bundle
This electrical engineering bundle consists of electrical substations, high voltage, and electricity generation courses...
15. Electrical Schematics (Industrial Controls)
Learn to read, understand & design power & control circuits. Foundational course to learn electrical wiring drawings...
16. Learn to Repair & Troubleshoot Electronics
Learn how to identify, troubleshoot and repair electronic components...
17. Control Systems Made Simple Beginner's Guide
Learn fundamentals of Mechanical & electrical system modeling, simulation and control with this unique practical course!...
18. Fundamentals of Electrical Controls
Learn the parts and wiring techniques used in a motor control installation, become a Controls Electrician...
19. Electrical, Electronics and PCB Design Safety & Compliance
Learn the most important aspects and methods for designing safe electrical and electronics products and applications...
20. Electricity & electronics - Robotics, learn by building
Over 31,000 enrolled! Open career opportunities and have fun learning electronics focused on building robots/automation!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for protective relay technicians
The most affordable schools for protective relay technicians are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and california state university - los angeles.
If the best universities for protective relay technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for protective relay technicians.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
6. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. West Virginia University Institute of Technology
Beckley, WV • Private
In-state tuition
$7,464
Cost of attendance
17,166
9. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for protective relay technicians
The hardest universities for protective relay technicians to get into are Northeastern University, Tufts University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for protective relay technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for protective relay technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
2. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
6. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
9. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
66%
SAT average
1,319
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,309
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for protective relay technicians
The easiest schools for protective relay technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and california university of pennsylvania.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a protective relay technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for protective relay technicians.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. California University of Pennsylvania
California, PA • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,007
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
6. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
7. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
8. Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,019
9. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,009
10. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
Average protective relay technician salary by education level
| Protective relay technician education level | Protective relay technician salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $59,232 |
Protective relay technician education FAQs
Search for protective relay technician jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
