Electrical Repair Technology

54 schools compared · Average earnings $39,715/yr

What Electrical Repair Technology Graduates Do

One day you might be installing a new security system in an office building, running low-voltage wiring through walls and programming the central control panel. The next, you could be on a factory floor, using schematics and a multimeter to troubleshoot a complex piece of industrial machinery that’s shut down a production line. This is critical, hands-on work that can’t be done from a desk or automated by software.

You’ll typically start as an apprentice, learning directly from a senior technician before handling your own service calls. Your earnings grow significantly as you gain experience, with specialists in commercial repair or telecommunications often commanding top-tier salaries, especially those who eventually start their own businesses. While the overall field is stable, demand for technicians in growing sectors like security and fire alarm systems or semiconductor processing is creating excellent long-term opportunities for skilled professionals ready to get their hands dirty and solve real-world problems.

Schools Offering
54
Avg Grad Earnings
$39,715/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46/100
AI-Proof Rating
AI-Proof
77% of tasks AI-shielded
Apprenticeship Paths
69

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 69 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Electrical Repair Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship Training Hours Type Salary RangeSalary Growth
Air Conditioning Installer Window
RAPIDS 2
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Assembly Technician
RAPIDS 878
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $38K$46,860$59K -0.9%
Audio-Video Repairer
RAPIDS 880
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $43K$50,620$63K 6.6%
Automatic-Equipment Technician
RAPIDS 21
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Automotive Generator-Starter Rep
RAPIDS 882
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Aviation Safety Equipment Technician
RAPIDS 605
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $41K$48,640$61K 2.4%
Avionics Technician
RAPIDS 464
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Avionics Technician
RAPIDS 0464CB
CB hrs Competency $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Battery Repairer
RAPIDS 885
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Cable Television Installer
RAPIDS 566
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs
Time $51K$70,500$96K -3.1%
Central-Office Installer
RAPIDS 76
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Central-Office Repairer
RAPIDS 77
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Control Equip Elec-Tech
RAPIDS 693
10000 hrs
~5.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Corrosion-Control Fitter
RAPIDS 920
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Customer Service Represent
RAPIDS 1008
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Elect-Motor Assem & Tester
RAPIDS 829
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Elect-Sales & Service Technician
RAPIDS 906
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Electric Motor Repairer
RAPIDS 149
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Electric Tool Repairer
RAPIDS 150
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Electrical Appliance Repairer
RAPIDS 154
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Electrical Appliance Servicer
RAPIDS 156
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Electrician, Powerhouse
RAPIDS 163
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Electrician, Radio
RAPIDS 164
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Electrician, Substation
RAPIDS 166
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Electronic Systems Tech
RAPIDS 1041
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Electronic-Organ Technician
RAPIDS 137
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $43K$50,620$63K 6.6%
Electronics Mechanic
RAPIDS 170
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $38K$46,860$59K -0.9%
Equipment Installer (Tel & Tel)
RAPIDS 165
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Fiber Optic Technician
RAPIDS 2064CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Field Service Engineer
RAPIDS 916
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Field Service Engineer (Medical)
RAPIDS 0916CB
Competency Competency $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Gas Appliance Servicer
RAPIDS 917
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Gas Appliance Servicer (Alternate Title: Propane Service Technician)
RAPIDS 0917CB
CB hrs Competency $40K$49,410$62K 2.6%
Line Installer-Repairer
RAPIDS 282
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$70,500$96K -3.1%
Lubrication Ser Material Disposal Tech
RAPIDS 1050
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $41K$48,640$61K 2.4%
Maintenance & Condition Assessment Foreman (Mcf)
RAPIDS 2065CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Maintenance & Condition Assessment Lead (Mcl)
RAPIDS 2066CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Maintenance Mechanic, Telephone
RAPIDS 309
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Mechatronics Technician
RAPIDS 2014
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Mechatronics Technician
RAPIDS 2014CB
Competency Competency $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Mechatronics Technician
RAPIDS 2014HY
6000-8000 hrs Hybrid $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Meteorological Equipment Repairer
RAPIDS 329
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Office-Machine Servicer
RAPIDS 359
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $38K$46,860$59K -0.9%
Power-Transformer Repairer
RAPIDS 442
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Propulsion Motor & Generator
RAPIDS 456
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Protective-Signal Installer
RAPIDS 459
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $47K$59,300$71K 10.4%
Prvte-Branch Exch Installer
RAPIDS 646
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Prvte-Branch Exch Repairer
RAPIDS 1006
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Radio Mechanic (Any Ind)
RAPIDS 465
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Radio Repairer (Any Ind)
RAPIDS 466
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $43K$50,620$63K 6.6%
Relay Technician
RAPIDS 975
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $80K$100,940$115K 5.5%
Repairer, Handtools
RAPIDS 421
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Sound Technician
RAPIDS 528
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Special Hazards Fire Suppression System Tech
RAPIDS 2007
3600 hrs
~1.8 yrs
Time $47K$59,300$71K 10.4%
Station Installer & Repairer
RAPIDS 647
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Supervisory Control&Data Acq Tec
RAPIDS 1106
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Tape-Recorder Repairer
RAPIDS 560
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $43K$50,620$63K 6.6%
Technician, Submarine Cable
RAPIDS 552
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Telecommunication Tower Technician
RAPIDS 2030CL
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Telecommunications Technician (Alternate Title: Broadband Technician)
RAPIDS 618
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $51K$62,630$80K -4.2%
Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Foreman
RAPIDS 2054CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Telecommunications Tower Antenna & Line Lead
RAPIDS 2055CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Telecommunications Tower Construction Foreman
RAPIDS 2052CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Telecommunications Tower Construction Lead
RAPIDS 2053CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%
Television & Radio Rep
RAPIDS 565
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $43K$50,620$63K 6.6%
Transformer Repairer
RAPIDS 590
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs
Time $44K$53,990$66K 3.4%
Transmission Line Worker (Existing Title: Line-Installer Repairer)
RAPIDS 0282CB
Competency Competency $51K$70,500$96K -3.1%
Visual Imagery Intrusion Detection Systems (Military Only)
RAPIDS 1070CB
Competency Competency $57K$71,300$85K -0.8%
Wireless Technician
RAPIDS 2038CB
Competency Competency $51K$64,190$85K 8.6%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Electrical Repair Technology

Top 20 of 54 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

# School Score EarningsEarn ROI
1 Highlands College of Montana Tech
Butte, MT
76
73–77
$63,098/yr 221.7x
2 Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA
75
73–75
$118,053/yr 105.9x
3 Montana Technological University
Butte, MT
73
68–74
$63,098/yr 109.1x
4 Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL
73
71–74
$55,807/yr 144.5x
5 Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, AL
72
66–72
$64,821/yr 89.3x
6 York Technical College
Rock Hill, SC
72
70–72
$58,025/yr 104.3x
7 New River Community College
Dublin, VA
68
66–68
$62,688/yr 68.6x
8 Tri-County Technical College
Pendleton, SC
68
63–69
$51,891/yr 80.0x
9 Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA
65
61–65
$53,083/yr 59.2x
10 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Lancaster, PA
60
57–61
$55,386/yr 38.6x
11 Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, IA
60
54–61
$44,875/yr 53.1x
12 Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO
58
53–59
$45,539/yr 44.9x
13 Perry Technical Institute
Yakima, WA
57
55–58
$53,153/yr
14 Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain
New Britain, CT
56
53–57
$48,608/yr
15 Lincoln Technical Institute-Allentown
Allentown, PA
56
53–57
$48,608/yr
16 Ranken Technical College
Saint Louis, MO
55
53–55
$60,662/yr 16.0x
17 Perry Technical Institute
Yakima, WA
55
52–56
$45,720/yr
18 CET-San Jose
San Jose, CA
54
51–54
$42,828/yr
19 Porter & Chester Institute
Bridgeport, CT
54
51–54
$40,642/yr 34.0x
20 Futura Career Institute
Hialeah, FL
53
51–54
$41,975/yr

Highest Earning Electrical Repair Technology Programs

Schools where Electrical Repair Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Electrical Repair Technology

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Electrical Repair Technology.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Highlands College of Montana Tech 221.7x $63,098/yr 76
Lincoln Land Community College 144.5x $55,807/yr 73
Montana Technological University 109.1x $63,098/yr 73
Bunker Hill Community College 105.9x $118,053/yr 75
York Technical College 104.3x $58,025/yr 72
Shelton State Community College 89.3x $64,821/yr 72
Tri-County Technical College 80.0x $51,891/yr 68
New River Community College 68.6x $62,688/yr 68
Iowa Central Community College 59.2x $53,083/yr 65
Chattanooga State Community College 56.5x $24,731/yr 49

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Electrical Repair Technology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Electrical Repair Technology graduates earn?
Across 54 schools, Electrical Repair Technology graduates earn an average of $39,715 per year in their first year after completing the program. Earnings range from $10,794 to $118,053 depending on the school.
Will AI replace Electrical Repair Technology jobs?
Electrical Repair Technology is rated "AI-Proof" for AI resilience — 77% of job tasks involve hands-on work shielded from AI automation. That means the vast majority of career tasks in this field rely on skills AI cannot replicate.
Where should I study Electrical Repair Technology?
Highlands College of Montana Tech leads all 54 programs with a TradeSchoolOutlook Score of 76/100. Graduates earn $63,098/yr — the ranking weighs earnings, ROI, AI resilience, and job market size equally.
Is Electrical Repair Technology worth it?
On average, Electrical Repair Technology graduates earn 50.9x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →