Electrical Engineers
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Also called: Automation Engineer, Cable Engineer, Circuits Engineer, Controls Engineer, Design Engineer, Design Verification Engineer
Median pay
$120,630
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$76,550 – $184,300
People employed
198,750
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Electrical Engineers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What electrical engineers do
- 01Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- 02Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- 03Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- 04Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- 05Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- 06Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
Skills that matter most
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- English Language
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from electrical engineers
- Materials Scientists79% · −2%
- Water Resource Specialists74% · group pay
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers73% · group pay
- Information Security Analysts73% · +7%
- Computer Network Architects72% · +11%
Change into electrical engineers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Materials Scientists86% · $117,790
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters81% · $76,870
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians78% · $66,120
- Mechanical Drafters75% · $71,550
- Hydrologists74% · $96,600
Majors that lead here
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.