Electrical engineers can land great jobs with generous salaries and benefits in exchange for performing interesting work. Looking for the right electrical engineering job can be a difficult task.
Understanding what the electrical engineering job market looks like can help you find the right role for you and potentially decide if you want to pursue a career in electrical engineering.
You will typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering to land a job in this field. People interested in becoming electrical engineers should ensure that they receive a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program. Other engineering degrees and math and physics degrees can qualify a candidate for an electrical engineering job.
The right experience and skillset can open nearly any door for candidates dedicated to pursuing a career in electrical engineering.
A master’s degree in electrical engineering is not required to land an electrical engineering role. However, a master’s degree or Ph.D. in electrical engineering can help you land a more advanced position with a higher salary.
If you are looking for an electrical engineering role, you may want to understand the forecast for this type of position. Thankfully, the number of electrical engineering jobs is not going down anytime soon.
From 2022 to 2032, the number of electrical engineers is expected to grow by more than 299,700 or about 5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is about average compared to all other occupations in the United States.
Electrical Engineer Salary
Electrical engineers are well compensated for the work they perform. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for an electrical engineer is $104,610. The salary level can vary greatly depending on experience.
Entry-level Electrical Engineer Salary
Electrical engineers who are new to the workforce generally make more than most of their college-graduate peers. The salary range can vary widely depending on a few factors, such as experience and the engineer’s college.
According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for an entry-level electrical engineer is $104,610. Entry-level electrical engineers in Mountain View have the highest average salary at $112,006.
Professional-level Electrical Engineering Salary
Electrical engineers with a few years of experience can take the Principles and Practice of Engineering Examination and earn their professional engineer license.
This career advancement increases their salary and potential in the engineering field. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for a senior electrical engineer is $111,091. The top 10% of professional electrical engineers earn more than $167,000.
Senior-level Electrical Engineering Salary
Electrical engineers at the senior level can easily earn more than $100,000 per year at the senior level. According to Zip Recruiter, the average salary for a senior electrical engineer is $124,724.
Senior electrical engineers may have much higher salaries than that. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest 10 percent of electrical engineers earned more than $171,430.
Electrical Engineer Job Descriptions
Electrical engineers can take on many roles. There are multiple sub-disciplines that electrical engineers can specialize in. These specializations allow engineers to attain higher salaries, more seniority, and job security.
Entry-level Electrical Engineering Roles
Electrical engineers who are new to the field will have fewer responsibilities than senior engineers. Working on various projects with guidance from more senior engineers can help entry-level electrical engineers gain proper experience.
Project Electrical Engineer
Project electrical engineers will support and develop various electrical systems for certain projects. Applying the proper electrical engineering principles will help guide the project’s design. Project electrical engineers may help develop both hardware and software systems.
Entry Level Electrical Designer
An entry-level electrical designer will help develop electrical systems for power distribution. This can range from detailing the electrical needs of a new commercial building or properly setting up a power grid. Electrical designers may help develop detailed layouts and schematics that showcase complex systems.
Professional-level Electrical Engineering Roles
There are countless specializations that electrical engineers can focus on. Choosing a specific path can lead to involvement in interesting, innovative projects.
Battery Engineer
Battery engineers work with various electrical batteries, such as lithium or ion, to develop an energy cell system. These systems will power various types of projects, such as electric vehicles. Research projects are often a key part of a battery engineer’s key duties, where engineers may research new materials to create new types of batteries.
Automotive Systems Engineer
Automotive systems engineers are tasked with designing and improving the mechanical, electrical, and software systems in a vehicle. This job is typically based in an office environment. Automotive systems engineers will test various electrical components and improve them.
Senior-level Electrical Engineering Roles
After multiple years as professional engineers, electrical engineers can take on more senior roles in an organization. Senior engineers are often responsible for an entire project, from initial customer research to manufacturing the end product.
Senior Electrical Test Engineer
Senior electrical test engineers put electrical components through rigorous testing to ensure the components perform as intended. Creating proper documentation, developing comprehensive test reports, and setting up testing environments are just a few key responsibilities.
Senior electrical test engineers will ensure that the testing of an electrical component goes as planned.
Senior Network Engineer
Senior network engineers are responsible for maintaining a company’s enterprise network. Network infrastructure is essential for many companies’ operations. Senior network engineers will need to develop a network infrastructure that is both secure and functional. If any issues cause network disruption, senior network engineers are expected to solve them quickly and efficiently.
Where To Look For Electrical Engineering Jobs
There are thousands of electrical engineering jobs available all over the United States. Knowing where to find the best electrical engineer jobs can help you find the right job. Multiple job platforms are focused just on engineer jobs.
Engineer Jobs
Engineer Jobs claims to be the world’s most-visited engineering job site. While there is no way to verify this fact, Engineer Jobs does have hundreds of thousands of engineering jobs from businesses worldwide.
You can easily filter through these jobs to narrow your search down to only electrical engineering jobs in the industry you are interested in. Some of these job postings may be only located on this website.
Engineering Central
Engineering Central is a job search platform dedicated to engineering jobs. This platform has many electrical engineering jobs located all across the United States.
Engineering Central also has resources that electrical engineers can utilize to prepare themselves for the job search and interview process. Most of these jobs are not remote, which could be an issue for some job seekers.
Electrical Engineering Remote Positions
COVID-19 pushed many companies to move more jobs remotely. There are more remote electrical engineering positions available now than ever. Both employers and employees realize some of the benefits of hybrid and remote work. Businesses can take advantage of talent from worldwide, while employees can choose to live wherever they want.
Electrical engineers are looking for remote job opportunities. Employees can apply their engineering knowledge and skills to various problems from the convenience of their homes. It should be noted that not all electrical engineering work can be done remotely. Some employees may have to go to the office or factory at least some of the time.
Finding a remote electrical engineering position can be difficult. There are multiple platforms where people seeking a remote electrical engineering job can find potential opportunities. Here are a few of the most prominent remote job platforms that businesses are utilizing to post remote electrical engineer roles:
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is an online job platform that focuses on remote and hybrid job opportunities. You can quickly sort for electrical engineering remote positions. There are typically hundreds of remote electrical engineering jobs on the website. Flexjobs has many resources that could help you refine your resume and job search.
IEEE
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has a website that helps electrical engineers find the right job. The advanced search function allows you to search for jobs that allow remote work. Some jobs still require employees to spend part of their time in the office. You can also easily compare your salary to the other electrical engineers with a similar background to see if you are compensated fairly.
Arc
Arc is a remote job platform that focuses on engineering and developer job opportunities. You can easily search for remote electrical engineering positions and find companies hiring remote electrical engineers. You can upload your resume, and their artificial intelligence platform will send you job opportunities that could be a good fit.
Local Electrical Engineering Jobs
Some electrical engineers prefer in-person work, so they may be interested in finding a local electrical engineering position. Some electrical engineering work can only be performed in person. Most people can find an electrical engineering job somewhere near where they live.
Finding the right fit could be difficult depending on many factors. Some people may have to move to find the right electrical engineering position.
If you live in a remote area away from an urban area, it could be difficult to find an electrical engineering role that fits your skills and interests. People should not be discouraged, however. There are multiple resources that electrical engineers can take advantage of.
Job Fair
Local job fairs are a great way to connect with companies in your area looking to hire electrical engineers. Many areas will have job fairs targeted toward more technical jobs, such as electrical engineering. You will have the opportunity to get in front of tens, if not hundreds, of employers looking to hire electrical engineers.
Headhunters and Staffing Agencies
Reaching out to local headhunters and staffing agencies can be a great way to find a local electrical engineering role. Headhunters typically fill more senior and executive positions. Staffing agencies generally fill fewer senior positions. They may have multiple electrical engineering positions that they are looking to hire for.
Chamber Of Commerce
Visiting your local Chamber of Commerce website is a great way to find local electrical engineering job opportunities. Local businesses will post job openings on this website. Companies may often post their job opportunities on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities often have deep ties to local companies through partnerships. If you attended a local college, you could tap into the extensive alumni network to find a connection to a local business.
This connection can help you break into the company. Even if you did not attend the school, there are resources that you can take advantage of. Local colleges and universities are often hiring electrical engineers as well. HigherEdJobs has a search function that allows you to easily see electrical engineering jobs at colleges and universities.
Finding an electrical engineering job can be difficult for even the most experienced engineers. There is more competition now than ever, and organizations hire the best talent. Looking in the right places and knowing what the electrical engineering job market looks like can help you find the perfect job.