Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Electrical Engineers
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.
Table of contents
What they do
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.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
- Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
- Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Electrical Engineers design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes. They confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
A typical day for an Electrical Engineer will also include:
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Electrical Engineers also inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards. They may also direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Electrical Engineers perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications. They might also compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
In addition, they prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine the operating efficiency of electrical systems.
To some Electrical Engineers, it is also their responsibility to conduct field surveys or study maps, graphs, diagrams, or other data to identify and correct power system problems.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
72% said they were satisfied with their job and 58% said they found their job meaningful.
I am an electrical engineer with 27 years of experience. I work in a company that has three activities: installs electrical installations (in companies, buildings, houses), repairs electrical machines, and sells materials for electrical installations (cables, insulation, etc.) My typical day My work starts at 7 am, everyone comes at that time. We enter the … Read More
After grabbing a cup of coffee, I look at my to-do list. I have a text file on hand where I put down different thoughts throughout the day. When I come in each morning, I review the list and prioritize the ideas and tasks I’ve written and then get straight to work. The beginning of … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Electrical Engineers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $64,870 to $79,010 per year or $31 to $38 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $159,520 | $77 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $128,680 | $62 |
| Median | $100,830 | $48 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $79,010 | $38 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $64,870 | $31 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Electrical Engineers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $131710 | $63.32 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $127250 | $61.18 |
| Office Administrative Services | $127080 | $61.10 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $123460 | $59.36 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $123290 | $59.28 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $122780 | $59.03 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | $120060 | $57.72 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $118210 | $56.83 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $117680 | $56.58 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $117220 | $56.35 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Electrical Engineers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Electrical Engineers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 41010 | $105010 | $50.49 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 18850 | $104590 | $50.28 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 12970 | $110590 | $53.17 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 12360 | $116990 | $56.25 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 8420 | $118210 | $56.83 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 8150 | $105060 | $50.51 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 7830 | $113280 | $54.46 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 7640 | $114970 | $55.27 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 5620 | $93760 | $45.08 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 5360 | $105680 | $50.81 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Electromechanical Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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