I was curious what companies would pay for skills in electronics—so I went down the rabbit hole. I expected to find a few technician roles or engineering jobs, but what I found was something much bigger. Electronics is a doorway, not just a skillset. It’s a gateway into industries that are shaping the future: robotics, aerospace, smart homes, electric vehicles, medical tech, and even content creation.
So if you’re someone who understands how a capacitor works or can identify components on a PCB board, here’s what that knowledge can unlock for you.
1. Electronics Technician
These are the folks who know how to get their hands dirty—troubleshooting, soldering, assembling, and repairing electronics. Whether it’s building control panels or testing devices on an assembly line, technicians are the heartbeat of day-to-day operations.
- Average Pay: $45K–$75K/year
- Where you’d work: Manufacturing, telecom, automation labs.
2. Electrical Engineer
This one’s for the big thinkers—the people who love designing systems from the ground up. Electrical engineers are behind the blueprint, simulations, and testing of everything from power systems to microcontrollers.
- Average Pay: $70K–$120K/year
- Where you’d work: Engineering firms, energy companies, tech manufacturers.
3. Embedded Systems Engineer
If you’ve ever wanted to bring a device to life, this is your jam. Embedded engineers build systems inside gadgets—smart thermostats, fitness trackers, robotic arms. They’re the bridge between software and hardware.
- Average Pay: $80K–$130K/year
- Industries: Automotive, IoT, medical devices, wearables.
4. PCB Designer
Printed Circuit Boards are the unsung heroes of every device you’ve ever used. Designers create the physical layout and design files that turn concepts into working boards.
- Average Pay: $60K–$100K/year
- Tools of the trade: Altium Designer, Eagle, KiCad.
5. Robotics Technician or Engineer
This role mixes sensors, motors, and control systems to make machines move. From pick-and-place machines in factories to robotic arms in surgery, these jobs are growing fast.
- Pay Range: $50K–$120K/year (Technician vs. Engineer)
6. IoT Developer
Think smart homes, connected cars, or even agricultural monitoring systems. IoT developers combine electronics, sensors, and code to make devices communicate.
- Average Pay: $75K–$120K/year
- Bonus: Startups in this space often offer equity.
7. Test Engineer
These professionals design stress tests, failure analysis, and quality checks to ensure a product does what it’s supposed to—every time.
- Average Pay: $70K–$100K/year
- Key Skill: Knowing how and where things fail before the customer does.
8. Field Service Technician
Like a tech medic on wheels, you go to client sites to install, troubleshoot, or repair high-tech systems—from MRI machines to industrial robots.
- Average Pay: $50K–$85K/year + travel perks
9. Technical Sales Engineer
If you love electronics but also love people, this is a sweet spot. You’re the one who explains tech products to businesses and helps them buy the right components.
- Pay: $70K–$130K+/year (base + commission)
- Pro tip: A tech-savvy salesperson is worth their weight in gold.
10. Content Creator & Educator
Here’s the unexpected one: You can turn your electronics knowledge into a personal brand. From YouTube tutorials to online courses to DIY kits—many creators are earning from ad revenue, sponsors, or their own products.
- Pay: Totally variable ($0 – $200K+), but scalable and creative.
- Bonus: You get to build community while building circuits.
What I Learned
There’s more opportunity in electronics than most people realize. It’s not just about building gadgets—it’s about building a career, building income streams, and building confidence in your skillset.
Whether you want to work in a lab, a garage, an office, or in front of a camera, electronics is a bridge to something bigger. And you don’t always need a degree. Sometimes you just need curiosity, a soldering iron, and the drive to keep learning.
If that’s you—keep going. There’s a place for you in this industry, and it might just be more rewarding than you think.
