Hiring guide · Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing
How to Hire an Industrial Electronics Repairer
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring industrial electronics repairers, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $74,090), recruit through technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs, verify ETA Certified Electronics Technician where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for industrial electronics repairers
There are about 65,500 industrial electronics repairers employed in the U.S., with roughly 4,700 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +0.3% from 2025–35 (little or no change). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $46,840–$60,040 | $22.52–$28.87 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $105,590 | $50.76 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Electronics troubleshooting
- Logical thinking
Nice-to-haves
- ETA Certified Electronics Technician
- PLC certifications
- ISA CCST
- Experience with multimeters
Where to find industrial electronics repairers
- Technical college automotive, diesel, aviation and machining programs
- Manufacturer and dealer training programs
- Military transition and SkillBridge programs
- Manufacturing career fairs and referrals
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Industrial Electronics Technician, Controls Technician, PLC Technician, Electronic Equipment Repairer
Screening checklist
- ASE, FAA A&P, NIMS or other credentials as applicable
- A hands-on diagnostic, measurement or setup test
- Tool inventory for roles where technicians supply tools
- Safety record and lockout/tagout knowledge
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Describe PLC experience.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “How do you troubleshoot?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “Have you repaired drives?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
4. “How do you work safely?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
5. “Can you be on call?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Troubleshoot a Machine Using PLC Inputs (see the steps)
- Replace a Variable Frequency Drive (see the steps)
- Solder a Through-Hole Component (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as PLC, HMI, VFD
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Industrial Electronics Repairer 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Industrial Electronics Repairer training. Show them the path forward: Electronics Technician → Controls Technician → Senior Controls Specialist → Controls Engineer.
Hiring industrial electronics repairers: FAQ
How much should I pay an industrial electronics repairer?
The U.S. median wage for industrial electronics repairers is $74,090 per year ($35.62/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($60,040), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($88,710). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an industrial electronics repairer have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for ETA Certified Electronics Technician and PLC certifications where relevant, plus skills such as electronics troubleshooting, plc programming basics, and motor drives.
How long does it take to train a new industrial electronics repairer?
Becoming qualified typically takes Training program plus a year or more on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “long-term on-the-job training.”