Profession · Full profile

Electrical Engineer

Design, test, and oversee electrical systems, equipment, and components across diverse industries.

Average salary

$120,630

Salary range

$76,550 – $184,300

Training time

4 years full time

Job market

Much faster than average

9/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

Electrical engineers design electrical systems, equipment, and components for power grids, industrial plants, and electronic devices. They perform calculations and simulations to confirm safety and efficiency, draft schematics with CAD software, and test physical prototypes. Their work also involves overseeing the manufacturing, installation, and commissioning of complex machinery. These professionals verify that every installation complies with standards like the National Electrical Code. Most positions combine office computer design work with laboratory testing and technical visits to operating facilities.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A standard weekday focused on software modeling, CAD drafting, and design compliance reviews.

8:00 AM
Project review
Review engineering tickets and open design files for ongoing development assignments.
9:00 AM
Circuit modeling
Run computer simulations to verify that electrical components handle expected loads safely.
11:30 AM
Engineering coordination
Meet with project managers to discuss system specifications and milestone progress.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Midday meal and informal discussion with engineering team colleagues.
1:15 PM
CAD drafting
Draft wiring diagrams and electrical schematics using CAD design software.
3:30 PM
Standards verification
Cross-check draft drawings against the National Electrical Code to ensure regulatory compliance.
4:30 PM
Technical documentation
Update design logs and archive calculation summaries for team review.

Task breakdown

A field and lab day focused on physical testing, measurement data collection, and plant commissioning.

7:30 AM
Lab setup
Calibrate diagnostic instruments and prepare testing benches for prototype hardware.
8:30 AM
Hardware testing
Operate electrical test benches to evaluate physical equipment performance under stress.
11:00 AM
Data evaluation
Analyze measurement outputs and calculate variance against theoretical models.
12:00 PM
Lunch break
Break for lunch before traveling to the industrial site.
12:45 PM
Travel to facility
Drive to a manufacturing plant for an on-site commissioning inspection.
1:30 PM
Installation inspection
Inspect physical control panels and verify that wiring matches approved design schematics.
3:45 PM
Field review meeting
Review equipment findings with plant technicians and resolve technical questions.
4:30 PM
Commissioning notes
Write down field observations and log punch list items before leaving the site.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$76,550

Average

$120,630

Maximum

$184,300

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$76,550	$120,630	$184,300
California	$81,840	$144,040	$217,760
Texas	$76,120	$129,450	$210,160
Michigan	$75,880	$106,070	$159,090
Florida	$65,090	$104,780	$164,210
New York	$74,870	$119,010	$168,820

Typical benefits

Health insurance

Comprehensive healthcare coverage provided for medical care needs.

Retirement plan with employer match

Long-term savings account supported by employer matching contributions.

Tuition assistance for graduate study

Financial support from employers to pursue master's degrees or continuing engineering coursework.

Hybrid work options

Flexible workplace policies allowing a mix of home-based modeling and on-site engineering.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Programs accredited by ABET are needed for the usual path to a PE license. Many students complete co-op or internship programs.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students, and $45,000 at a private nonprofit four-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma with strong math and physics

Master's degree

1 to 2 years

Master's degree in electrical engineering

A master's degree helps for research, design and specialized roles. Some universities offer combined bachelor's and master's programs.

Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree in engineering

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Circuit design and analysisEvaluates and creates functional electrical circuits that meet performance criteria.
Power systemsUnderstands electrical generation, distribution, and substation equipment operations.
CAD and schematic softwareProduces technical drawings, wiring layouts, and system schematics.
Control systems and PLCsConfigures automation controllers and monitors industrial machinery processes.
National Electrical CodeApplies statutory installation codes to verify safety and regulatory compliance.
Testing and measurement equipmentUses diagnostic tools to evaluate prototype performance and analyze electrical metrics.

Soft skills

Analytical thinkingBreaks down technical challenges to evaluate safety, efficiency, and design feasibility.
Problem solvingDiagnoses equipment failures and develops functional engineering corrections.
TeamworkCoordinates effectively with colleagues, technicians, and project stakeholders.
Technical communicationConveys technical specifications and testing reports clearly to non-engineering teams.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
AnalyticalSolves complex mathematical problems and evaluates technical data systematically.
✓
Detail-orientedEnsures schematics and calculations follow strict safety codes and specifications.
✓
CollaborativeWorks productively alongside technicians, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
✓
MethodicalApproaches prototype testing and compliance inspections with structured discipline.
✓
InquisitiveExplores how electrical systems function and seeks efficient engineering solutions.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

11,400

Trend

Growth

+9.9%

AI impact

4/10

AI speeds up circuit simulation, design checks and documentation. Engineering judgment, safety sign-off and field problem solving stay human.

Regional demand

Michigan

Peak demand driven by industrial manufacturing and automotive electrical systems development.

10/10

Texas

High activity supported by electric utilities, energy infrastructure, and equipment manufacturing.

6/10

California

Strong employment demand in semiconductor, technology, and engineering services firms.

5/10

Florida

Steady opportunities in construction engineering, facility development, and regional electric utilities.

4/10

New York

Consistent hiring across utility operations, infrastructure consulting, and electronic equipment firms.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Engineer in training
0-4 years
Entry-level engineers handle foundational calculations and assist senior colleagues while preparing for licensure.
Electrical engineer
2-6 years
Engineers manage independent design tasks, build CAD drawings, and oversee hardware testing.
Senior electrical engineer
6-10 years
Experienced engineers lead major engineering projects, mentor junior staff, and stamp design packages.
Engineering manager
10+ years
Managers supervise technical departments, manage budgets, and oversee multidisciplinary schedules.

Horizontal move

Electronics engineer
Engineers focus on specialized electronic components, circuit boards, and integrated hardware devices.
Sales engineer
Engineers apply technical expertise to assist clients with commercial proposals and complex product specifications.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Most electrical engineers work full time, with extra hours near project deadlines.
Remote work: Design and analysis work can often be done in a hybrid setup, but testing and site work require being on site.
Physical requirements: The work is mainly in offices and labs, with visits to plants, construction sites or substations.
Typical employers: Engineering services firms, electric utilities, manufacturers of electrical equipment, federal government, semiconductor and electronics companies, construction companies.
Professional associations: IEEE

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does an electrical engineer do?

Electrical engineers design, test, and oversee the production of electrical systems, equipment, and components. They run simulations to check safety and efficiency, draft specifications and drawings using CAD software, and supervise physical installations. They also verify that equipment complies with the National Electrical Code. Their daily work connects conceptual design with laboratory testing and field commissioning across facilities like electric utilities and manufacturing plants.

Is a license required to work as an electrical engineer?

A Professional Engineer license is required in all states to approve designs or offer engineering services directly to the public. Becoming a licensed Professional Engineer requires an accredited degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, acquiring relevant work experience, and passing the PE exam. Many professionals start their careers as an engineer in training while completing these requirements under the supervision of licensed engineers.

Can electrical engineers work remotely?

Electrical engineers can often work in a hybrid setup for design and analysis tasks. Drafting schematics in CAD software and running calculations can be completed from home. However, testing prototypes and inspecting equipment require being physically present on site. Employers balance these demands by allowing hybrid work for computer modeling while requiring regular attendance at laboratories, plants, or substations.

What degree is needed to become an electrical engineer?

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is the standard educational requirement to enter the profession. Completing a degree accredited by ABET is necessary for the usual path to a Professional Engineer license. High school preparation requires strong math and physics skills. In addition, many students participate in co-op or internship programs to build practical engineering experience before graduation.

What are the typical working hours for an electrical engineer?

Most electrical engineers work full time during regular weekday business hours. Work schedules are mostly predictable, though extra hours are common when project deadlines approach. In addition, engineers working at electric utilities or industrial plants may be placed on call to handle unexpected system outages. Despite occasional deadline pressures, the career generally offers a stable work-life balance.

Which employers hire electrical engineers?

Electrical engineers work for engineering services firms, electric utilities, and manufacturers of electrical equipment. They are also hired by the federal government, semiconductor and electronics companies, and construction companies. These employers need engineers to design power infrastructure, develop electronic devices, and commission equipment installations. Career opportunities exist across both private consulting practices and large government or utility operations.

Explore further

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In depth

All about electrical engineer

The background, context and details.

Core design and analysis tasks

Electrical engineers design electrical systems and equipment across technical industries. They draft schematics. Using CAD software, specialists create technical drawings and detailed specifications before any manufacturing work begins. Engineers perform calculations and simulations to check that designs are safe and efficient. They test equipment. When evaluating physical prototypes and assembled machinery in specialized test laboratories, engineers methodically analyze the resulting performance records to eliminate operational defects before approving installations across client facilities. They also oversee the manufacturing and installation of electrical systems. Every design must satisfy strict codes such as the National Electrical Code.

Workplace settings and schedules

Offices and labs accommodate most routine engineering responsibilities. Design and analysis work can often be done in a hybrid setup, but testing and site work require being on site. Engineers visit substations. Professionals travel to substations and construction sites to inspect hardware installations. Most electrical engineers work full time during standard weekday daytime hours. Project deadlines bring extra hours. Engineers employed in electric utilities or manufacturing plants may also remain on call for outages that disrupt power service.

Education and licensing pathways

Entering the profession requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, which takes 4 years full time. High school preparation requires strong math and physics. Many students complete co-op or internship programs. Graduating from programs accredited by ABET is needed for the usual path to a PE license. A Professional Engineer license is required in all states to approve designs or offer services directly to the public. Earning that credential requires completing an accredited undergraduate degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, acquiring relevant work experience under licensed practitioners and successfully passing the comprehensive PE exam. A master's degree taking 1 to 2 years prepares candidates for specialized engineering positions.

Employment trends and industries

About 199,700 jobs exist in the United States. Employment is projected to change by 9.9% over the next decade. Growth brings openings. About 11,400 openings are projected each year over the next decade across engineering services firms, electric utilities, semiconductor and electronics companies, construction companies, manufacturers of electrical equipment and the federal government. AI speeds up circuit simulation, design checks and documentation. Engineering judgment, safety sign-off and field problem solving stay human. Review accredited engineering degree programs and join the IEEE to establish early contacts.