How to Become an Electrical Engineer
Design, develop, and test electrical equipment and systems. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $120,630 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$120,630/yr
Typical range
$76,550 to $184,300
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
11,700
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Circuit Design
- Signal Processing
- Power Systems
- Embedded Systems
- Mathematics
Helpful certifications
- PE (Professional Engineer)
- FE (Fundamentals of Engineering)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
48/100
Work-life balance
70/100
Stress level
35/100
Satisfaction
77/100
Related careers
- Computer Hardware Engineer$161,740 median
- Petroleum Engineer$144,910 median
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960 median
- Nuclear Engineer$133,970 median
- Chemical Engineer$125,040 median
- Materials Engineer$112,860 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Electrical Engineer make?
The median pay for an Electrical Engineer is $120,630 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The typical range runs from $76,550 to $184,300, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become an Electrical Engineer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electronics Engineering.
Is Electrical Engineer a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 11,700 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does an Electrical Engineer use most?
Common skills for this role are Circuit Design, Signal Processing, Power Systems, Embedded Systems, and Mathematics.
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Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.