diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index d133b152f5..4bd611d50c 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -250,7 +250,9 @@ def compile_program(args, config):
     return 0 if idedata is not None else 1
 
 
-def upload_using_esptool(config: ConfigType, port: str, file: str, speed: int):
+def upload_using_esptool(
+    config: ConfigType, port: str, file: str, speed: int
+) -> str | int:
     from esphome import platformio_api
 
     first_baudrate = speed or config[CONF_ESPHOME][CONF_PLATFORMIO_OPTIONS].get(
@@ -342,7 +344,7 @@ def check_permissions(port: str):
             )
 
 
-def upload_program(config: ConfigType, args, host: str):
+def upload_program(config: ConfigType, args, host: str) -> int | str:
     try:
         module = importlib.import_module("esphome.components." + CORE.target_platform)
         if getattr(module, "upload_program")(config, args, host):
diff --git a/esphome/util.py b/esphome/util.py
index 3b346371bc..395d4a7351 100644
--- a/esphome/util.py
+++ b/esphome/util.py
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def run_external_command(
     return retval
 
 
-def run_external_process(*cmd, **kwargs):
+def run_external_process(*cmd: str, **kwargs: str) -> int | str:
     full_cmd = " ".join(shlex_quote(x) for x in cmd)
     _LOGGER.debug("Running:  %s", full_cmd)
     filter_lines = kwargs.get("filter_lines")