Career Overview

Electrical engineers are responsible to design, test, and supervise the production of electronic equipment. This equipment can include electric motors, electric machinery, electric lighting, electrical wiring, radar and navigation systems, power generation equipment, and transmission devices. Electrical engineers can also create systems for motorized vehicles and airplanes. Electrical engineers specialize in power systems engineering and electronics equipment manufacturing.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree

Program Recommendations:

Electronic Engineering
Electrical Engineering

Some colleges offer associate’s degrees in electrical engineering as well, but most employers want a job candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Licensure

All 50 states require engineers who work with the public to be state licensed. These licenses are state and industry specific.

Top School’s for Electrical Engineering:

Cambridge
Stanford University
University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign in IL
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management

Employment Trends

Average Salary for Electrical Engineers: $52,990
Average Salary for Electronics Engineers, not including computers: $55,330
Jobs in 2008 for electrical engineers: 157,800
Jobs in 2008 for electronics engineers, not including computers: 143,700
Projected Employment Openings for electrical engineers between through 2018: 160,500
Projected Employment Openings for electronics engineers, not including computers between through 2018: 144,100

Related Jobs:

Computer and information systems managers
Computer scientists
Computer software engineers and computer programmers
Drafters
Engineering and natural sciences managers
Engineering technicians

Article Reference: Bureau of Labor Statistics