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Boston Career Explorer

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.

Also called: Control Technician, E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrument Mechanic), E and I Mechanic (Electrical and Instrumentation Mechanic), Electrical and Instrument Technician (E and I Tech), Electrical Maintenance Technician, Electronic Technician

Median pay in Greater Boston
$79,020
$37.99/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
720
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−1.3%
60 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Postsecondary nondegree award
plus Long-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$44,210$65,050$79,020$95,630$113,030

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Test faulty equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using test equipment or software, and applying knowledge of the functional operation of electronic units and systems.
  • Maintain equipment logs that record performance problems, repairs, calibrations, or tests.
  • Set up and test industrial equipment to ensure that it functions properly.
  • Inspect components of industrial equipment for accurate assembly and installation or for defects, such as loose connections or frayed wires.
  • Install repaired equipment in various settings, such as industrial or military establishments.
  • Operate equipment to demonstrate proper use or to analyze malfunctions.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure36 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 35
  • Language-model AIOE 27
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 47

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure is moderate, and observed AI use is little or none so far. AI tools may help with equipment logs and with diagnosing problems from test data. Hands-on inspecting, setting up, and installing equipment still need a person. Federal projections say demand may shrink as remote sensors and cloud connections replace hard-wired systems.

Likely to change

  • Writing equipment logs and repair records
  • Reading test data to diagnose faults

Still relies on people

  • Inspecting for loose connections and frayed wires
  • Installing and setting up equipment on site

What federal projections say

“Demand change - share decreases as technology such as remote sensors and cloud connectivity replace hard wired systems, reducing the need for electrical repairs.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Electricians

    Wiring knowledge and reading diagrams carry over to electrical work. It has 11.6% projected growth in Massachusetts and is learned through an apprenticeship.

    Pay difference
    +$890 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +11.6%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    Test, repair, and recordkeeping skills carry over. It pays a median of $95,520 in Boston, compared with $79,020 now.

    Pay difference
    +$16,500 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.8%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Testing and repairing complex systems carry over to aircraft work. It pays $93,280 in Boston and has 6.5% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$14,260 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.5%
    To get started
    Postsecondary nondegree award

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.

Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

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