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.
SOC: 17-2071.00
Common Job Titles
- Design Engineer
- Electrical Design Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Project Engineer
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeDesign electrical systems and components for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific applications using CAD software and electronic design automation tools, applying engineering principles and physics knowledge.Advanced
- KnowledgeFormulate testing protocols and validation procedures for electrical components and systems considering reliability analysis, failure modes, and quality control requirements.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize emerging technologies and research findings into practical engineering applications through continuous learning and staying current with industry advancements.Advanced
- KnowledgeAnalyze circuit performance and signal integrity using simulation software such as SPICE and MATLAB, following industry standards and specifications.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate electrical equipment designs for compliance with safety standards and performance requirements in manufacturing and installation settings, coordinating with cross-functional teams.Proficient
- KnowledgeAssess complex technical problems in electrical systems applying critical thinking and mathematical analysis to develop optimal solutions.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate specialized electrical testing equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers in laboratory and field environments, following established measurement protocols.Proficient
- KnowledgeDevelop technical documentation including specifications, test reports, and design drawings for internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and regulatory compliance.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate feedback from multidisciplinary teams into iterative design processes when managing project timelines and coordinating with manufacturing, quality assurance, and client representatives.Proficient
- Hands-onExecute printed circuit board design and layout using CAD/CADD software tools such as AutoCAD and OrCAD, meeting manufacturing specifications.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Electrical Engineers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
188,790
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $74,670. 25th percentile: U.S. $87,590. 50th percentile: U.S. $111,910. 75th percentile: U.S. $141,630. 90th percentile: U.S. $175,460. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $74,670 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $175,460 |
| Workers on average earn | $120,980 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Engineering and Technology4.7/5
- Computers and Electronics4.7/5
- Design4.1/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Mathematics3.7/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Apache Subversion SVN
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Revit
- Bash
- Bentley MicroStation
- C
- C#
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Eclipse IDE
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Windows Server
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Perl
- Python
- SAP software
- Shell script
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- UNIX
Technology Skills
- APLAC
- ATD protocol
- AVEVA InTouch HMI
- Ada
- Advanced boolean expression language ABEL
- Altera hardware description language AHDL
- Automated material handling software
- Availability prediction modeling software
Tools & Equipment
- Accelerometers
- Annealing furnaces
- Atomic force microscopes
- Auger electron spectrometers
- Computer servers
- Cylindrical corona testers
- Diffractometers
- Diffusion furnaces