Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Written By Keandra Wilson

 1. OVERVIEW

Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, and test equipment, components, and systems involving electricity and electronics. Their work powers a wide range of industries, from aerospace and telecommunications to power generation and semiconductor manufacturing.

  • 2024 Median Pay: $118,780/year ($57.11/hour)

  • Job Growth (2023–2033): +9% (Much faster than average)

  • Typical Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical or electronics engineering

2. ROLE BREAKDOWN BY LEVEL

ENTRY LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Electrical Engineer I, Electronics Engineer I, Junior Systems Engineer, Test Engineer

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering

  • Experience: Internships or cooperative education recommended

  • Certifications (Recommended): FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) Exam

  • Core Duties:

    • Assist in designing and modeling circuits and systems

    • Conduct testing and diagnostics of prototypes

    • Create and review technical documentation

    • Collaborate with senior engineers and technicians

  • Salary Range: $74,000–$105,000

MID LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Electrical Engineer II/III, Electronics Project Engineer, Systems Engineer, R&D Engineer

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s preferred for some roles

  • Experience: 3–5 years in the field

  • Certifications (Preferred): PE License (Professional Engineer)

  • Core Duties:

    • Lead product development or system design projects

    • Conduct cost analysis and feasibility studies

    • Supervise manufacturing or construction processes

    • Interact with clients and cross-functional teams

  • Salary Range: $105,000–$140,000

SENIOR LEVEL

  • Job Titles: Senior Electrical Engineer, Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, Director of Engineering

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree; MBA or PMP may be advantageous

  • Experience: 6+ years plus leadership experience

  • Certifications (Preferred): PE License, PMP (Project Management Professional)

  • Core Duties:

    • Oversee engineering teams and manage large-scale projects

    • Ensure compliance with safety and quality regulations

    • Develop and implement new technologies

    • Liaise with executives, clients, and vendors

  • Salary Range: $140,000–$200,000+

3. HOW TO BECOME ONE

  • Minimum Education: Bachelor’s in Electrical or Electronics Engineering (ABET-accredited)

  • Training: On-the-job training through internships or co-op programs

  • Licensure: FE exam for entry; PE license for advancement

  • Soft Skills: Problem-solving, communication, project management, teamwork, critical thinking

4. SKILLS & TOOLS

Core Skills:

  • Circuit and system design

  • CAD software and simulation tools

  • Programming (e.g., Python, C++)

  • Troubleshooting and diagnostics

  • Project documentation and reporting

Tools:

  • MATLAB, Simulink, AutoCAD Electrical

  • Multimeters, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers

  • PLCs and embedded systems

  • PCB design software (e.g., Altium Designer, Eagle)

5. WORK ENVIRONMENT

  • Locations: Offices, research labs, manufacturing facilities, power plants, aerospace centers

  • Schedules: Full-time, standard business hours; occasional travel and site visits

  • Environment: Collaborative, technical, and often interdisciplinary; safety compliance is critical

6. JOB OUTLOOK

  • Demand Drivers: Advancements in renewable energy, consumer electronics, telecommunications, and automation

  • Annual Openings: ~19,000 per year (2023–2033)

  • Growth Opportunities: Management, consulting, specialization (e.g., robotics, avionics, energy systems)

7. RELATED OCCUPATIONS

  • Role: Aerospace Engineers | Salary: $134,830 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Computer Hardware Engineers | Salary: $155,020 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | Salary: $106,950 | Education Level: Bachelor’s degree

  • Role: Electricians | Salary: $62,350 | Education Level: High school diploma + training

  • Role: Electrical Engineering Technicians | Salary: $77,180 | Education Level: Associate’s degree

8. RESOURCES FOR LEARNING & ADVANCEMENT

Certifications & Courses:

  • FE and PE Exams (NCEES)

  • IEEE Learning Network (https://learning.ieee.org)

  • Coursera: Electrical Engineering Programs

  • edX: MicroMasters in Power Engineering, Electronics

Books:

  • "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz & Hill

  • "Electrical Engineering 101" by Darren Ashby

  • "Practical Electronics for Inventors" by Scherz & Monk

Videos & Channels:

  • EEVblog (YouTube)

  • All About Circuits (YouTube)

  • MIT OpenCourseWare: Electrical Engineering

Communities:

  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

  • r/ElectricalEngineering (Reddit)

  • AllAboutCircuits Forum

9. REGIONAL DATA & EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

  • BLS Profile: Electrical and Electronics Engineers (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm)

  • CareerOneStop: State-by-state job data, wage trends, and certification lookup

  • Projections Central: State employment projections

 

Keandra Wilson
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