# Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radio-frequency-identification-device-specialists
- SOC code: 17-2072.01
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $130,220 (10th percentile $81,840, 90th percentile $206,960)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.7%
- Openings a year: 4,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Electronics engineers, except computer".

## Interest profile (code CRI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 68 |
| Investigative (I) | 64 |
| Artistic (A) | 7 |
| Social (S) | 9 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 72 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 100/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 91/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 83/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 79/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 79/100)
- Getting Information (importance 77/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 76/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 74/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 74/100)

## 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

## 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)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1410) (CIP 1410, 456 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,074 | $250,168 | $19,500 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $154,713 | $200,543 | $13,548 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,863 | $161,118 | $15,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $110,607 | $147,241 | $12,750 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $111,942 | $146,003 | $18,118 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $143,332 | not reported |
| [Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art-704) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $139,068 | not reported |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $103,698 | $136,656 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Electronics Engineers, Except Computer](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronics-engineers-except-computer): $130,220 median pay
- [Computer Hardware Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineers): $161,740 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Electrical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-engineers): $120,630 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.