What is an Electrical Engineer?
Electrical Engineer Job Description Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Life As an Electrical Engineer: What Do They Do?
- Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
- Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
- Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
- Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs.
- Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
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Skills Needed to be an Electrical Engineer
Below is a list of the skills most Electrical Engineers say are important on the job.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Types of Electrical Engineer Jobs
- Division Engineer
- Line Construction Engineer
- Circuits Engineer
- Engineer of System Development
- Wire Communications Engineer
Electrical Engineer Job Outlook
There were about 188,300 jobs for Electrical Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,200 new jobs for Electrical Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 13,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Electrical Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and Wisconsin. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Alaska, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Electrical Engineer
The typical yearly salary for Electrical Engineers is somewhere between $61,190 and $153,240.
Electrical Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electrical Engineers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $97,310 |
| Alaska | $119,130 |
| Arizona | $106,260 |
| Arkansas | $82,200 |
| California | $114,170 |
| Colorado | $100,550 |
| Connecticut | $98,310 |
| Delaware | $108,900 |
| District of Columbia | $118,000 |
| Florida | $94,250 |
| Georgia | $87,850 |
| Hawaii | $89,720 |
| Idaho | $93,080 |
| Illinois | $94,700 |
| Indiana | $86,100 |
| Iowa | $87,700 |
| Kansas | $90,880 |
| Kentucky | $89,780 |
| Louisiana | $94,090 |
| Maine | $89,860 |
| Maryland | $116,560 |
| Massachusetts | $113,920 |
| Michigan | $90,700 |
| Minnesota | $98,120 |
| Mississippi | $93,740 |
| Missouri | $97,750 |
| Montana | $92,120 |
| Nebraska | $90,180 |
| Nevada | $92,540 |
| New Hampshire | $107,790 |
| New Jersey | $118,120 |
| New Mexico | $113,050 |
| New York | $103,740 |
| North Carolina | $97,490 |
| North Dakota | $89,680 |
| Ohio | $85,320 |
| Oklahoma | $98,950 |
| Oregon | $90,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,870 |
| Rhode Island | $110,360 |
| South Carolina | $90,140 |
| South Dakota | $84,710 |
| Tennessee | $93,180 |
| Texas | $106,260 |
| Utah | $94,200 |
| Vermont | $115,460 |
| Virginia | $109,690 |
| Washington | $113,540 |
| West Virginia | $88,640 |
| Wisconsin | $86,020 |
| Wyoming | $92,960 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Electrical Engineers
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electrical Engineers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- UNIX
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Minitab
- National Instruments LabVIEW
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
What education is needed to be an Electrical Engineer?
What work experience do I need to become an Electrical Engineer?
Where Electrical Engineers Work
Electrical Engineers work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Electrical Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Electrical Engineer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: NASA via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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