requires working under the guidance of a more experienced engineer.
For sales work, an engineering background enables engineers to discuss a product’s technical aspects and assist in product planning and use. For more information, see the profile on sales engineers.
Pay
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Median annual wages, May 2010
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
$90,170
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
$87,180
Electrical Engineers
$84,540
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of electrical engineers was $84,540 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half of the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $54,030, and the top 10 percent earned more than $128,610.
The median annual wage of electronics engineers was $90,170 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $57,860, and the top 10 percent earned more than $135,080.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of electrical engineers in May 2010 were as follows:
Semiconductor and other electronic component
manufacturing $92,070
Scientific research and development services 90,790
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control
instruments manufacturing 89,590
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution 83,960
Architectural, engineering, and related services 83,750
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of electronics engineers, except computer, in May 2010 were as follows:
Federal government, excluding postal service $104,310
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing 93,610
Architectural, engineering, and related services 89,360
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing 88,690
Wired telecommunications carriers 81,380
Most of these engineers work full time, and overtime is not uncommon.
Job Outlook
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Total, All Occupations
14%
Electrical Engineers
7%
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
6%
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
5%
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is expected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Job growth is expected because of electrical and electronics engineers’ versatility in developing and applying emerging technologies. On the other hand, employment growth will be tempered by the slow growth or decline of most manufacturing sectors in which they are employed.
Growth for electrical and electronics engineers will largely occur in engineering services firms, as more companies are expected to cut costs by contracting engineering services rather than directly employing engineers. These engineers will also experience job growth in computer systems design and wireless telecommunications as these industries continue to implement more powerful portable computing devices.
The rapid pace of technological innovation and development will likely drive demand for electrical and electronics engineers in research and development, where their expertise will be needed to develop distribution systems related to new technologies.
Employment projections data for electrical and electronics engineers, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
17-2070 294,000 311,600 6 17,600
Electrical Engineers
17-2071 154,000 164,700 7 10,700
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
17-2072 140,000 146,900 5 6,800
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of electrical and electronics engineers.
OCCUPATION JOB DUTIES ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION MEDIAN ANNUAL PAY, MAY 2010
Aerospace Engineers
Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.
Bachelor’s degree $97,480
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Architectural and engineering managers plan, coordinate, and direct activities in architecture and engineering, including research and development in these fields.
Bachelor’s degree $119,260
Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers analyze and design solutions to problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care.
Bachelor’s degree $81,540
Computer
