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Signal technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a signal technician. Signal technicians usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or computer science. 42% of signal technicians hold a associate degree, and 23% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 181 real signal technician resumes to see exactly what signal technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for signal technicians are the DeVry University and the DeVry University.

There are also many online signal technician courses to help get the education required to be a signal technician.

What education do you need to become a signal technician?

What degree do you need to be a signal technician?

The most common degree for signal technicians is associate degree, with 42% of signal technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 23% and high school diploma degree at 19%.
  • Associate, 42%
  • High School Diploma, 23%
  • Bachelor's, 19%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 10%

What should I major in to become a signal technician?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a signal technician. 28% of signal technicians major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a signal technician include electrical engineering technology and computer science.

Most common colleges for signal technicians

Signal technicians often get their degrees at DeVry University, St. Johns River State College, and Syracuse University. Here are the most common colleges for signal technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Signal technician common collegePercentages
DeVry University13.04%
St. Johns River State College8.70%
Syracuse University4.35%
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee4.35%
University of North Texas4.35%

Best majors for signal technicians

Best colleges for signal technicians

The best colleges for signal technicians are Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and Northeastern University.

A signal 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 signal 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 signal technicians.

1. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

3. Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$33,570

Enrollment

1,991

4. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Enrollment

11,675

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,832

Enrollment

4,550

7. Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,646

Enrollment

5,736

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

9. Suffolk University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$38,566

Enrollment

5,012

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

20 best online courses for signal technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Digital Signal Processing

coursera

This Specialization provides a full course in Digital Signal Processing, with a focus on audio processing and data transmission. You will start from the basic concepts of discrete-time signals and proceed to learn how to analyze data via the Fourier transform, how to manipulate data via digital filters and how to convert analog signals into digital format. Finally, you will also discover how to implement real-time DSP algorithms on a general-purpose microcontroller. The solid theoretical bases...

2. Advanced Machine Learning and Signal Processing

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>>> By enrolling in this course you agree to the End User License Agreement as set out in the FAQ. Once enrolled you can access the license in the Resources area <<< This course, Advanced Machine Learning and Signal Processing, is part of the IBM Advanced Data Science Specialization which IBM is currently creating and gives you easy access to the invaluable insights into Supervised and Unsupervised Machine Learning Models used by experts in many field relevant disciplines. We’ll learn about the...

3. Signals and Systems: From Basics to Advance

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4.6
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Learn the fundamental characteristics of signals and systems, Fourier Transform and Z-Transform from basic to advance...

4. Signal processing problems, solved in MATLAB and in Python

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4.7
(1,988)

Applications-oriented instruction on signal processing and digital signal processing (DSP) using MATLAB and Python codes...

5. Converter Control

coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5702, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This course teaches how to design a feedback system to control a switching converter. The equivalent circuit models derived in the previous courses are extended to model small-signal ac variations. These models are then solved, to find the important transfer functions of the converter and its regulator system. Finally, the feedback loop is modeled, analyzed,...

6. Complete neural signal processing and analysis: Zero to hero

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4.7
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Learn signal processing and statistics using brain electrical data with expert instruction and code challenges in MATLAB...

7. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) From Ground Up™ in Python

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4.2
(806)

Practical DSP in Python : Over 70 examples, FFT,Filter Design, IIR,FIR, Window Filters,Convolution,Linear Systems etc...

8. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) From Ground Up™ in C

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4.3
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Practical DSP in C : FFT, Filter Design, Convolution, IIR, FIR, Hamming Window, Linear Systems, Chebyshev filters etc...

9. DSP From Ground Up™ on ARM Processors [UPDATED]

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Digital Signal Processing on ARM : DFT, Filter Design, Convolution, IIR, FIR, CMSIS-DSP, Linear Systems...

10. VSD - Signal Integrity

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4.8
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VLSI - Real and practical steps to build chip with minimum Signal Integrity issues!!...

11. Telecom basics (signals-satellite-microwaves-antennas)

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4.4
(284)

مبادئ الاتصالات السلكية واللاسلكية للمبتدئين وغير المهندسين...

12. Master the Fourier transform and its applications

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4.8
(2,107)

Learn the Fourier transform in MATLAB and Python, and its applications in digital signal processing and image processing...

13. The Complete Electrical Power Control and Protection

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4.6
(519)

Your Complete Practical Guide in Electrical Control & Protection Systems for Stations , Substations & Distribution Zones...

14. Electrical Control & Protection Systems

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4.6
(1,763)

This course introduces electrical control & protection systems which are a critical part of any electrical substation...

15. Railway Systems Engineering (Equivalent to Micro MSc )

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4.3
(377)

A Journey in the World of Railway Systems Operation Rolling Stock Traction System Engineering Infrastructure...

16. Electrical Power Equipment

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4.6
(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

17. Ultimate Electric Circuits Masterclass for Beginners

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4.4
(478)

Learn electric circuits from scratch without any previous knowledge with dozens of examples in electrical engineering...

18. Linux System Programming - A programmers/Practical Approach

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4.1
(574)

Files, Memory and Process management, Fork, Signals, Threads, IPC - Pipes, FIFO, message Queue, Semaphores,Shared Memory...

19. ESD - An Analog Design Viewpoint

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4.5
(482)

How to apply ESD protection to analog/mixed signal ICs...

20. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks

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4.4
(364)

PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...

Top 10 most affordable universities for signal technicians

The most affordable schools for signal technicians are Brigham Young University, california state university - long beach, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for signal 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 signal technicians.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

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 Arecibo

Arecibo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,872

Cost of attendance

13,476

6. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Pomona, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,353

Cost of attendance

21,302

9. West Virginia University Institute of Technology

Beckley, WV • Private

In-state tuition

$7,464

Cost of attendance

17,166

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for signal technicians

The hardest universities for signal technicians to get into are Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and Northeastern University.

Some great schools for signal 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 signal 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. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

3. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

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. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,321

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for signal technicians

The easiest schools for signal technicians to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and pennsylvania state university - altoona.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a signal 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 signal 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. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona

Altoona, PA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,094

4. Suffolk University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,131

5. Pennsylvania State University - Berks

Reading, PA • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,107

6. Alabama A & M University

Normal, AL • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

957

7. South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,149

8. Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,111

9. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

10. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,068

Average signal technician salary by education level

According to our data, signal technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $53,777 annually. Signal technicians with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $51,749.
Signal technician education levelSignal technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$48,617
Bachelor's Degree$53,777
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,749

Signal technician education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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