SOC 17-2072.01

    Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists

    Design and implement radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems used to track shipments or goods.

    Median pay
    $130,220
    Growth
    +3.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    4,900
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Electronics engineers, except computer"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $81,840
    Median
    $130,220
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $206,960
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    96,900 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) specialists design and implement tracking systems for goods and shipments. This career offers a median annual pay of $130,220, with positions typically requiring a college degree and prior experience.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What radio frequency identification device specialists do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Design and implement radio frequency identification device (RFID) systems used to track shipments or goods.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    These specialists focus on creating and setting up RFID systems to monitor inventory and shipments. On a daily basis, they work extensively with computers, solve complex technical problems, and think creatively to design functional tracking setups. They must gather information, monitor processes, and keep their technical knowledge up to date.

    Success in this field requires strong skills in critical thinking, active listening, systems analysis, and clear communication. Specialists must be highly detail-oriented, dependable, and intellectually curious. They rely on a deep understanding of computers, electronics, engineering, telecommunications, and mathematics to perform their duties. Because they frequently collaborate with team members and clients, strong interpersonal skills and customer service knowledge are also essential.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree, with electrical, electronics, and communications engineering being the primary related college majors. Most positions also require several years of related work experience before hiring.

    To advance in this field, individuals can pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering - Electrical and Computer certification, which is offered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Additionally, some states list specific licensing requirements for professionals performing this type of engineering work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for these specialists is $130,220, though this figure represents the broader category of electronics engineers, except computer. Within this group, the lowest 10% earn less than $81,840, while the highest 10% earn more than $206,960.

    There are 96,900 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.7%, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 4,900 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    68 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    64 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    7 / 100
    Social (S)
    9 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    9 / 100
    Conventional (C) · strongest
    72 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code CRI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    100
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    91
    Thinking Creatively
    83
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    79
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    79
    Getting Information
    77
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    76
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    75
    Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
    74
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Systems Analysis
    • Writing
    • Active Learning
    • Coordination

    Knowledge

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • English Language
    • Design
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Education and Training
    • Mathematics
    • Administration and Management
    • Telecommunications
    • Production and Processing

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Written Comprehension
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Expression
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Cautiousness
    • Adaptability
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance
    • Initiative

    Also called

    Antenna Engineer · Cardiac Device Specialist · Deployment Engineer · Device Test Engineer · DSP Engineer (Digital Signal Processing Engineer) · Electrical Engineer · Electro Magnetic Compatibility Test Engineer · Engineer · Microwave Engineer · RF Design Engineer (Radio Frequency Design Engineer)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to radio frequency identification device specialists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists$130,220 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,074
      4 yrs after
      $250,168
      Median debt
      $19,500
    2. 2University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $154,713
      4 yrs after
      $200,543
      Median debt
      $13,548
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,863
      4 yrs after
      $161,118
      Median debt
      $15,000
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $110,607
      4 yrs after
      $147,241
      Median debt
      $12,750
    5. 5The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $111,942
      4 yrs after
      $146,003
      Median debt
      $18,118
    6. 6Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $143,332
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7
      Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $139,068
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8Rice University logo
      Rice University

      Houston, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $103,698
      4 yrs after
      $136,656
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What radio frequency identification device specialists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
    • Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other
    • Telecommunications Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    49 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about radio frequency identification device specialists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    Professionals in this field are also called RF design engineers, antenna engineers, device test engineers, microwave engineers, and electrical engineers.

    What is the primary interest area for this occupation?

    The strongest interest area for this career is conventional, meaning the work often involves structured tasks, data, and detail-oriented processes.

    Are there any specific certifications available for RFID specialists?

    Yes, candidates can obtain the Fundamentals of Engineering - Electrical and Computer certification through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.