Career comparison
Electronics Technician vs. Mechatronics Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electronics technicians earn more at the median ($78,190 vs. $73,900), while electronics technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Electronics technicians build, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits and equipment. Mechatronics technicians install and fix automated systems that combine mechanics, electronics and controls.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electronics Technician | Mechatronics Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,190 ($37.59/hr) | $73,900 ($35.53/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,510 – $115,700 | $47,840 – $109,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.4% (slower than average) | +2.6% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 8,100 | 1,400 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 2 years |
| Key credential | ETA International Certified Electronics Technician (CET) | Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification |
| Work setting | Technicians work in labs, factories and field sites, at benches with test equipment, often in clean or ESD-controlled areas.. | Technicians work in factories, warehouses and labs, around moving machinery.. |
What each job does
Electronics Technician
- Build and assemble prototypes
- Solder and rework circuit boards
- Test circuits and systems
- Troubleshoot electronic failures
- Calibrate and maintain equipment
Mechatronics Technician
- Install automated equipment
- Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical faults
- Program and adjust PLCs
- Maintain robots and sensors
- Repair motors and drives
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, technology and science, engineering & lab, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and problem solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose electronics technician if…
- I like electronics
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I have steady hands
Choose mechatronics technician if…
- I like robots and automation
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I like both mechanical and electrical work
Still torn? Take the Electronics Technician fit quiz and the Mechatronics Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electronics technician or mechatronics technician?
Electronics Technicians earn more at the median: $78,190 versus $73,900 for mechatronics technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electronics Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than mechatronics technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects mechatronics technicians to grow +2.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for electronics technicians.