What do electrical engineers do?
The task of an electrical engineer is to imagine, design, test, troubleshoot and oversee the manufacturing of electrical systems and equipment.
Whether they're managing a major city's power grid, building robots to make life more efficient or innovating space satellite technology, electrical engineers can be found working in many different sectors, including:
- Auto industry
- Energy systems
- Health care
- Mobile networking
- Renewable energy
- Robotics development
- Space exploration
- Sustainability
- Telecommunications
Humans are deeply dependent on systems of electricity, from the mobile phones we scroll on, the public transportation systems we use and the medical equipment we rely on in emergencies. As a result of rapid technological innovation, the field of electrical engineering is constantly expanding.
Electrical engineering jobs
Electrical engineering is a lucrative and high-growth industry. While many think of electrical engineering as one specific job role, there are a variety of specialty roles available to those who pursue electrical engineering. While some senior roles require a graduate-level education in electrical engineering, most positions are attainable with an undergraduate degree.
There are four engineering fields: electrical, chemical, civil and mechanical engineering, and each of these includes subfields as well. A few of the top jobs in the field are:
Aerospace engineer
- If you're passionate about space technology, you can apply your undergraduate degree in electrical engineering toward a career in aerospace engineering. Entry-level jobs involve working on a multidisciplinary team to produce drawings, plans and reports related to electrical design, and supporting the manufacturing process of related projects. An aerospace engineer position may require interfacing with clients as well.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual pay for an aerospace engineer was $130,720 as of May 2023. The BLS also projects a faster-than-average growth rate of 6% for the role over the coming decade.
Computer hardware engineer
- Developing, designing, testing and updating computer systems and components are the key responsibilities of a computer hardware engineer. If you’re interested in circuits, work well on a team and are fascinated by the idea of inventing cutting-edge hardware and supervising its manufacturing process, then you might consider a career as a computer hardware engineer.
- The BLS projects a faster0than-average growth rate of 7% for this role from 2023-2033. The median annual pay for a computer hardware engineer was $138,080 as of May 2023.
Electrical engineer
- In this role, you’ll work on a team for a consultancy, energy company, transit authority or multidisciplinary engineering firm and report to a project leader or senior professional engineer. You'll gain valuable field experience designing solutions to respond to real-world problems.
- The BLS projects a much-faster-than-average growth rate of 9% for this role in the coming decade, and a median annual pay for electrical and electronics engineers of $109,010 as of May 2023.
Electronics engineer
- GPS devices, satellite systems, portable music players and broadcast and communications systems are all designed, tested and developed by electronics engineers. Requirements for this role include expertise in circuits and their associated systems. Electronics engineers can be found in many different sectors, including transportation, aviation, communications and technology.
- The BLS reports a median annual pay for electrical and electronics engineers of $109,010 as of May 2023. The projected growth rate for the role from 2023-2033 is a much-faster-than-average 9%.
How to become an electrical engineer
Working as an electrical engineer in the U.S. typically requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an accredited university or college.
Generally, the first two years of any undergraduate program in electrical engineering will be dedicated to gaining an introduction to the basic theories and technical concepts of engineering and electricity through required coursework. The final two years will provide you with the ability to explore different subfields of engineering with hands-on experience.
Whichever program you consider, be sure to review the faculty profiles, school ranking, flexibility and opportunities for internships or work experience offered.
Here are some of the key skills you'll acquire from an electrical engineering bachelor's degree:
- Advanced math, physics and computer programming knowledge
- Creativity in developing original design solutions
- Problem-solving skills for troubleshooting problems with designs, as well as implementing solutions
- Strong collaborative abilities suited to group work
- The ability to use electrical power to design new solutions or improve upon existing solutions
- The communication skills needed to explain complex technical theories and models
