Career comparison
Electrical Engineer vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electrical engineers earn more at the median ($120,630 vs. $74,090), while industrial electronics repairers usually get to work faster (Training program plus a year or more on the job of training). Electrical engineers design power systems, electronics and controls that run modern life. 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
| Electrical Engineer | Industrial Electronics Repairer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $120,630 ($58.00/hr) | $74,090 ($35.62/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $76,550 – $184,300 | $46,840 – $105,590 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.9% (much faster than average) | +0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 11,400 | 4,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4 years | Training program plus a year or more on the job |
| Key credential | Engineer in Training (EIT) | ETA Certified Electronics Technician |
| Work setting | Electrical engineers work in offices, labs, plants and at project sites.. | Repairers work in factories, repair shops and field service.. |
What each job does
Electrical Engineer
- Design electrical systems
- Develop circuits and electronics
- Calculate loads and specify equipment
- Create schematics and drawings
- Test and troubleshoot systems
Industrial Electronics Repairer
- Troubleshoot control systems
- Repair circuit boards
- Replace components
- Test PLCs and drives
- Calibrate equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, problem-solving, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and logical thinking.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrical engineer if…
- I love electricity and electronics
- I enjoy math and physics
- I want high pay
Choose industrial electronics repairer if…
- I like electronics
- I solve logic puzzles
- I stay calm when lines are down
Still torn? Take the Electrical Engineer fit quiz and the Industrial Electronics Repairer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrical engineer or industrial electronics repairer?
Electrical Engineers earn more at the median: $120,630 versus $74,090 for industrial electronics repairers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Industrial Electronics Repairers typically train faster (Training program plus a year or more on the job) than electrical engineers (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electrical engineers to grow +9.9% from 2025–35, compared with +0.3% for industrial electronics repairers.