How to Land a Top-Paying Electrical engineers Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More. Burgess Rachel
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education. Cooperative programs combine classroom study with practical work.
At some universities, students can enroll in a 5-year program that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. A graduate degree allows an engineer to work as an instructor at some universities, or in research and development.
Important Qualities
Active learning. Electrical and electronics engineers have to apply knowledge learned in school to new tasks in every project they undertake. In addition, continuing education is important for them so that they can keep up with changes in technology.
Communication skills. Electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians. They must be able to clearly explain their designs and reasoning and to relay instructions during product development and production. They may also need to explain complex issues to customers who have little or no technical expertise.
Detail oriented. Electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products. They must keep track of multiple design elements and technical characteristics during these processes.
Math skills. Electrical and electronics engineers use the principals of calculus and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Teamwork. Electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during production to ensure that their plans are being correctly applied. This includes monitoring technicians to see that plans are being implemented properly and devising remedies to problems as they come up.
Licenses
Licensure for electrical and electronics engineers is not as common as it is for other engineering occupations, but it is encouraged for those working in companies that have contracts with the government at all levels. Engineers who become licensed are designated professional engineers (PEs). Licensure generally requires the following:
A degree from an engineering program accredited by the ABET
A passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Relevant work experience
A passing score on the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
The initial Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be taken right after graduation from a college or university. Engineers who pass this exam commonly are called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns (EIs). After getting work experience, EITs can take the second exam, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.
Several states require engineers to take continuing education to keep their license. Most states recognize licensure from other states if the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements.
Advancement
Engineers may advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians. Some may move into management positions, such as engineering managers or program managers. Preparation for managerial positions usually requires working under the guidance of a more experienced engineer.
For sales work, an engineering background enables engineers to discuss a product’s technical aspects and assist in product planning and use. For more information, see the profile on sales engineers.
Pay
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Median annual wages, May 2010
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
$90,170
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
$87,180
Electrical Engineers
$84,540
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of electrical engineers was $84,540 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half of the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $54,030, and the top 10 percent earned more than $128,610.
The median annual wage of electronics engineers was $90,170 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,860, and the top 10 percent earned more than $135,080.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of electrical engineers in May 2010 were as follows:
Semiconductor and other electronic component
manufacturing $92,070
Scientific research and development services 90,790
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control
instruments manufacturing 89,590
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution 83,960
Architectural, engineering, and related services 83,750
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of electronics engineers, except computer, in May 2010 were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service $104,310
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing 93,610
Architectural, engineering, and related services 89,360
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing 88,690
Wired telecommunications carriers 81,380
Most of these engineers work full time, and overtime is not uncommon.
Job Outlook
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Total, All Occupations
14%
Electrical Engineers
7%
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
6%
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
5%
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is expected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Job growth is expected because of electrical and electronics engineers’ versatility in developing and applying emerging technologies. On the other hand, employment growth will be tempered by the slow growth or decline of most manufacturing sectors in which they are employed.
Growth for electrical and electronics engineers will largely occur in engineering services firms, as more companies are expected to cut costs by contracting engineering services rather than directly employing engineers. These engineers will also experience job growth in computer systems design and wireless telecommunications as these industries continue to implement more powerful portable computing devices.
The rapid pace of technological innovation and development will likely drive demand for electrical and electronics engineers in research and development, where their expertise will be needed to develop distribution systems related to new technologies.
Employment projections data for electrical and electronics engineers, 2010-20
Occupational