Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineering designs and develops electrical equipment and systems — power grids, motors, communications, navigation and control systems — and, with electronics engineering, the circuits inside consumer and industrial products.
Where Electrical Engineering can lead
A field of study is not one job. These are the occupations BLS tracks for this pathway, with median annual pay (May 2025) and projected change in employment (2025–35); total U.S. employment is projected to grow 3.5%.
| Occupation | Median pay | Outlook | Openings / year | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronics engineers | $125,040 | +8% Much faster than average |
16,300 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineers | $161,740 | +9% Much faster than average |
4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Median: half of workers earned more, half earned less. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, checked 2026-10-07.
What electrical engineers earn
Pay varies widely with experience, employer and location. BLS figures for May 2025.
Often new graduates
Half earned more, half less
Often senior or specialized roles
Pay range is for electrical engineers; electronics engineers (except computer): lowest 10% under $81,840, highest 10% over $206,960.
Median pay by industry (Electrical engineers)
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering services | 22% | $105,780 |
| Electric power generation, transmission and distribution | 10% | $122,430 |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 5% | $135,230 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 5% | $121,610 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 5% | $141,160 |
Source: BLS, electrical and electronics engineers (pay and work environment tabs).
Where the jobs are
The five states with the most jobs for electrical engineers in May 2025, with local median and average (mean) pay. Pay is usually higher where living costs are higher.
| State | Jobs | Median pay | Mean pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 24,230 | $144,040 | $151,180 |
| Texas | 20,870 | $129,450 | $135,580 |
| Michigan | 10,840 | $106,070 | $112,740 |
| Florida | 9,220 | $104,780 | $111,430 |
| New York | 8,770 | $119,010 | $122,140 |
BLS publishes estimates for all 50 states and DC for this occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What the work is really like
From O*NET, which surveys people working in the job. Most work full time, generally in offices, with travel to project sites at times.
Common tasks
- Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
What workers report
| Share of workers who… | Share |
|---|---|
| Use email every day | |
| Work more than 40 hours a week | |
| Have a lot of freedom to make decisions | |
| Have constant contact with others |
Technology used on the job
Interests that fit this work (Holland codes): Realistic, Investigative, Conventional. Source: O*NET OnLine, 17-2071.00, checked 2026-10-07.
How to get there, step by step
A typical route. Many people reach the same job in different ways.
- Step 1
Physics and calculus
BLS points to physics and math through calculus.
- Step 2
Bachelor's degree
Electrical or electronics engineering; co-ops and internships common.
- Step 3
FE exam (optional)
First step toward a PE license.
- Step 4
Design, power or electronics
Utilities, manufacturing, engineering services or federal work.
- Goal
Senior engineer or PE
A PE lets you sign off on projects and serve the public.
High school preparation
From BLS: BLS suggests high school courses in physics and math, including algebra, trigonometry and calculus.
- Physics and math, including algebra, trigonometry and calculus (BLS's own advice)
- AP Physics C where offered
- Robotics or electronics clubs
Course suggestions are Margdarshan's guidance; what you can take depends on your school. See the high school guide for GPA, AP and dual enrollment.
Degrees and what you study
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering or a related field; co-op programs and internships are common. Experienced engineers may earn a PE license to sign off on projects and serve the public directly.
Education workers say their job requires (O*NET)
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | |
| Associate's degree | |
| Master's degree |
Costs and aid: see College & Money. Important qualities BLS lists for electrical and electronics engineers: communication skills, computer skills, initiative, interpersonal skills, math skills, problem-solving skills, project management skills.
Professional Engineer (PE) license
Granted by state engineering licensing boards. Each state board sets its own application rules, fees and approval steps; many states require continuing education to renew.
Not always required: Many engineering jobs do not require a PE. BLS: a PE is required to offer services directly to the public (e.g. civil engineers signing off public projects); entry-level civil engineers do not need one. Computer hardware and most software/industry roles rarely require a PE.
Full step-by-step licensing route →Why demand is changing
BLS expects engineers to play key roles in consumer electronics, solar arrays, semiconductors and communications technologies.
Much faster than average
Electrical and electronics engineers
Average over the decade, including replacements
Studying from outside the U.S.? Education and immigration are separate pathways — see the international student guide.
Advice for getting in
Margdarshan's guidance, based on the data above.
- Pick a direction early: power, electronics and communications lead to different industries.
- Learn MATLAB and Python — both appear among O*NET's most-used technologies for electrical engineers.
- Michigan ranks third for electrical engineer jobs, behind California and Texas (May 2025).
Frequently asked questions
Related career pathways
Where these facts come from
Official sources only, checked on the dates shown.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electrical and electronics engineers checked 2026-10-07
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer hardware engineers checked 2026-10-07
- O*NET OnLine: 17-2071.00 · U.S. Department of Labor checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates via the BLS Public Data API checked 2026-10-07
- FE exam · NCEES checked 2026-10-07
- PE exam · NCEES checked 2026-10-07
- What Programs Does ABET Accredit? · ABET checked 2026-10-07
- Occupational Outlook Handbook · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics checked 2026-10-07