Sector

Computer & Electronics Manufacturing Careers

Computer and electronics manufacturing builds the devices and components that power the digital economy. Hybrid work possible for engineering roles, with moderate credentials and some concentration at larger employers.

107K
U.S. jobs
In this sector
$84K
Median salary
Across all roles
Computer & Electronics Manufacturing jobs by metro area
Bubble size = total employment
Computer & Electronics Manufacturing employment by metro · ~180 areas

Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density

BLS OEWS May 2024
Understanding this Sector
What it's like to work in Computer & Electronics Manufacturing

Computer and electronics manufacturing produces the devices we use constantly — there's satisfaction in building technology, precision assembly, and making products at technology's cutting edge. Many find meaning in the tech connection.

The challenge can come from offshore competition and rapid change. Most electronics assembly has moved overseas; domestic positions often focus on higher-value or specialized production. Technology changes quickly; products become obsolete. Production work can be detailed and repetitive.

The field varies by product and role. Semiconductor equipment differs from computer assembly, networking hardware, or components. Engineering roles differ from production, test, or quality. R&D manufacturing differs from volume production.

For those who thrive here, the rewards are genuine: working with technology, precision work, often clean manufacturing environments, and tech industry connection. If you want electronics manufacturing and can find positions in remaining domestic production, it offers technical opportunities.

How people break in

Engineering for design roles. Supply chain and operations for business roles. Production increasingly offshore.

Work environment tends toward
Consolidated industryEnterprise focusSupply chain criticalDesign vs production splitMajor tech brands
Industries it connects to
TechnologyManufacturingData CentersTelecommunications
Salary vs. national average
+19%
$84K median vs. $71K national
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0K$17K$38K$150K$239K*387 metro areas across 50 states, sorted by salary level →
Salary range across all computer & electronics manufacturing roles
Where your dollar goes furthest
1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$95K
2. Boulder$80K
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$78K
4. Durham-Chapel Hill$72K
5. Trenton-Princeton$71K
BLS OEWS May 2024
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.

Median salaries range from ~$72K in mid-market metros to ~$107K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.

Highest paying
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $107K
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont · $90K
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $84K
Best purchasing power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara · $95K adj.
Boulder · $80K adj.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria · $78K adj.
Most jobs
New York · 18.8M
Los Angeles · 12.5M
Chicago · 9.4M
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BEA Regional Price Parities

What the data says about this sector

Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Computer & Electronics Manufacturing.

🚪
Annual Quit Rate
Based on all Manufacturing data
18%
People tend to stay in Manufacturing. Lower turnover often indicates better working conditions or higher switching costs.
4%vs. 22% all industries
🏢
Typical Employer Size
Small-skewed
Small businesses dominate. More variety in roles but less formal structure and benefits.
81%
Small
<50
15%
Mid
50–249
2%
Large
250+
🏠
Remote / Hybrid Prevalence
Hybrid common
Many roles can be done remotely. Location flexibility is a realistic expectation.
Mostly on-siteHybrid commonRemote-first
📋
Credential Density
Moderate
Most roles don't require formal credentials. Skills and experience matter more than certificates.
Few credentialsSome requiredMany required
🤝
Union Presence
Based on all Manufacturing data
~9%
Minimal union coverage means compensation is individually negotiated. Know your market rate going in.
9%vs. 11% all industries
BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Union Members Summary 2024

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FAQ

Common questions about Computer & Electronics Manufacturing careers

What kinds of roles exist in computer and electronics manufacturing?

Design and R&D engineers develop the devices, while electrical technicians, test technicians, and process engineers build and prove them on the line. Quality, materials planning, and plant leadership round out the operation.

How many people work in computer and electronics manufacturing?

Federal data puts employment at roughly 107,000 people in this slice of the industry — a relatively small, specialized workforce concentrated around tech manufacturing hubs.

What does computer and electronics manufacturing typically pay?

Median pay is around $84,000 a year — one of the better-paying corners of manufacturing, reflecting how engineering-heavy the work is.

Is turnover high in computer and electronics manufacturing?

Across the broader manufacturing sector, about 1.6% of workers quit in a typical month in 2024 — fairly low compared with most industries.

What are common ways into computer and electronics manufacturing?

Test technician, quality inspection, and engineering technician roles are practical entry points, often through a two-year technical program. Design, process, and R&D engineering paths generally ask for an engineering degree.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS JOLTS 2024 · BLS QCEW 2024 · O*NET Work Context · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.

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