Career comparison

Electric Motor Repairer vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer

Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Electric Motor Repairer vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer: the short answer

Industrial electronics repairers earn more at the median ($74,090 vs. $56,210), while electric motor repairers usually get to work faster (Several months to a year of training). Electric motor repairers test, rewind and rebuild electric motors, generators and power tools. Industrial electronics repairers repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Electric Motor RepairerIndustrial Electronics Repairer
Median pay$56,210 ($27.02/hr)$74,090 ($35.62/hr)
Pay range (10th–90th)$37,100 – $85,200$46,840 – $105,590
Job growth, 2025–35+4.4% (about as fast as average)+0.3% (little or no change)
Openings per year1,4004,700
Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentPostsecondary nondegree award
Training timeSeveral months to a yearTraining program plus a year or more on the job
Key credentialEASA trainingETA Certified Electronics Technician
Work settingRepairers work in motor shops, factories and field service..Repairers work in factories, repair shops and field service..

What each job does

Electric Motor Repairer

  • Test motors for faults
  • Disassemble motors
  • Rewind coils
  • Replace bearings and brushes
  • Balance rotors

Industrial Electronics Repairer

  • Troubleshoot control systems
  • Repair circuit boards
  • Replace components
  • Test PLCs and drives
  • Calibrate equipment

How they’re similar

Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and working independently. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.

Which should you choose?

Choose electric motor repairer if…

  • I like how motors work
  • I’m patient
  • I like precision

Choose industrial electronics repairer if…

  • I like electronics
  • I solve logic puzzles
  • I stay calm when lines are down

Still torn? Take the Electric Motor Repairer fit quiz and the Industrial Electronics Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.

Quick comparisons

Which pays more, electric motor repairer or industrial electronics repairer?

Industrial Electronics Repairers earn more at the median: $74,090 versus $56,210 for electric motor repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.

Which takes less time to train for?

Electric Motor Repairers typically train faster (Several months to a year) than industrial electronics repairers (Training program plus a year or more on the job).

Which career has better job growth?

BLS projects electric motor repairers to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +0.3% for industrial electronics repairers.