Electrical engineers possess not only a robust knowledge of residential and commercial electrical systems but also excel at designing, testing, developing, and implementing electrical equipment and components. Individuals looking to enter the profession will be glad to know that there is a high level of job security and a competitive salary to look forward to.
Usually, a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field is paramount to secure employment as an electrical engineer. Below, we break down everything candidates need to consider to achieve this goal.
We analyze responsibilities, work environments, educational opportunities, annual average salaries, and career outlooks, among others.
What are an Electrical Engineer’s Responsibilities?
The responsibilities of an electrical engineer can vary depending on the specific work environment and specialty. However, all electrical engineers are expected to have the necessary skills to design, develop, test, and maintain electrical equipment, systems, and components.
They are also tasked with analyzing product plans to identify specific requirements. Other major duties and responsibilities of an electrical engineer include:
- utilizing engineering and design software to come up with practical models, layouts, and diagrams,
- inspecting electrical and electronic devices to determine reliability and safety,
- supervising the construction and manufacturing of electrical systems and products
- coming up with proper documentation to specify system requirements and maintenance practices,
- evaluating final products and systems,
- recommending modifications or repair practices.
Electrical engineers can also work in the automotive industry, focusing on the electrical systems that power modern automobiles and aircrafts.
Electrical Engineer Work Environment
Electrical engineers spend a great deal of their time in an office setting. Of course, when it’s time to work on actual projects, these professionals will spend the majority of their time on-site.
It is common for electrical engineers to travel a lot. This is required not only when the job site is a fair distance away, but also when they travel to observe a problem or a piece of complex equipment.
Generally, the work environment of an electrical engineer depends significantly on their specific industry and specialty. For example, electrical engineers can work with electrical power generation and transmission, in which case they will most likely be in an office.
They can also work in engineering services, in which case they will frequently visit job sites, or in aerospace products and parts manufacturing, where they will spend most of their time in workshops.
Electrical engineers who focus on research and development will spend most of their time in a laboratory environment.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
The following steps are necessary to launch a successful electrical engineering career.
High School Education & Soft Skills
High school education sets the foundation for prospective electrical engineers to secure admission into accredited programs. Candidates must also possess a range of soft skills and transferable attributes, including interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, project management expertise, and effective communication skills.
Earning a Bachelor’s Degree
Electrical engineers need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electronics engineering. A degree in a related engineering field can also be enough.
During their undergraduate program, candidates are expected to learn in the classroom and consolidate their theoretical expertise through laboratory and field practice. Courses typically covered in ABET-accredited electrical engineering programs include digital systems, circuit theory, calculus, and other relevant subjects.
During the last few years of education, many training programs allow candidates to participate in internships, enabling them to build the necessary level of proficiency in the real world. This is needed to ensure that candidates settle into their real-world duties as smoothly and easily as possible.
Licensing & Certification
An electrical engineer may perform entry-level duties without necessarily having a license. However, senior engineers typically hold a Professional Engineering license, which enables them to assume supervisory and administrative responsibilities.
It is common to receive a license at the state level by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination and showing proof of experience. Usually, licensing in one state allows candidates to practice in several states across the country.
Career Advancement
Electrical engineers must continue to improve themselves and advance their careers. They can do so by leveraging certification opportunities and participating in graduate programs.
This will ultimately lead to advanced supervisory and management positions, which, of course, come with better pay and career opportunities.
Specializations
Specializations for electrical engineers include professionals who work with aerospace products and parts, those involved in research and development, those involved in electric power generation, and those working in engineering services.
In several states, renewable energy engineers are also categorized as a specialty of electrical engineering.
Salary & Career Outlook
The annual average salary of electrical engineers across the country can be divided into three broad categories, namely the median earners, the top earners, and the bottom 10% earners.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median earners manage an annual average salary of $111,910; the bottom 10% manage an annual average salary of $74,670; and the top 10% earn more than $175,460 at the end of the year.
Sorting by industry and work environment, electrical engineers who work with aerospace products and parts manufacturing are the highest-paid in the field, with an annual average salary of $136,570. Those who work in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences earn an annual average salary of $130,840.
Also notable are electrical engineers in navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing, with an annual average salary of $115,700.
Career Outlook
The career outlook for electrical engineers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, projects a 9% growth in employment from 2023 to 2033. This is generally faster than the average for all other occupations, and it is expected to see more than 19,000 openings for electrical engineers within this period.
The reasons for the projection range from companies increasing their employment of engineers for electrical projects to the need for electrical engineers in renewable energy technologies, including solar arrays, semiconductors, and communications technologies.
