PCB Rework Technician

Also called: Electronics Rework Specialist

Repairs and modifies circuit boards under a microscope, replacing tiny chips without damaging anything else.

A day in the life

Under a microscope, you use a hot-air tool to remove a chip the size of a fingernail with hundreds of hidden solder balls, clean the pads, and place a new one perfectly. It's like surgery for electronics.

Pay over a career

Starting
$35k
Typical
$47k
High
$65k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Certificate, about 0 years after high school. High school plus IPC-7711/7721 rework certification.

Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training, Military. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Electronics Technology (certificate).

Outlook

Growing slowly.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Fine hand-repair under a microscope is hard to automate and valued for prototypes and defense work.

Could start within a month

Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to electronics makers; many pay for the IPC rework course after hire First: IPC-7711/7721 rework certification (about a 4–5 day course)

Start now, in high school

Classes: Electronics class, Art, Physics.

Official data: O*NET occupation 51-2028.

More Electronics, Vehicle & Equipment Assembly careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.