USA Career Guide: Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Education and Training Requirements for Electrical and Electronics Engineer

To work as Electrical and Electronics engineer in USA one needs at least bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering accredited by ABET. Good work avenues open for those who have a Electrical and Electronics engineering qualification along with Professional Engineer license and work experience. Electrical and Electronics Engineering is offered as 4 year college course in USA to award a bachelor’s degree. Those who have 4 years in Electrical and Electronics engineering can also apply for graduate program in Electrical and Electronics engineering leading to award of masters and research degrees. Candidates interested in joining college course in Electrical and Electronics engineering should take high school courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.

Related Instructional Programs/Degrees for Electrical and Electronics Engineers in USA

• Electrical Engineering, MS
• Electrical Engineering, BSEE
• Electrical Engineering, BS
• Electrical Engineering, BSE
• Electrical Engineering, BSEE
• Electrical Engineering with Computer Engineering Option, BEE
• Electrical Engineering, BEE
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, BSECE
• Electrical Engineering, BS
• Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering, BS
• Electrical and Electronic(s) Engineering, BS
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS
• Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.E.
• Electrical Engineering, BE
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, BS
• Electrical and Computer Engineering, BSECE
• Electrical Engineering - Regional Engineering Program, BS
• Electrical Science and Engineering, BS
• Electrical Engineering, MS
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering, BS
• Electric Power Engineering, BS
• Microelectronic Engineering, BS
• Electrical Engineering/Materials Sciences and Engineering, BS of UC, Davis
• Electromechanical Engineering, BS

Industrial Overview

Bureau of Labor Statistics data related electrical and electronics engineers in United States.

Electrical and electronics engineers held about 294,000 jobs in 2010. Electrical and electronics engineers worked primarily in engineering services firms, electric power generation, manufacturing, and research and development in 2010:

• Architectural, engineering, and related services - 22%
• Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing – 10%
• Electric power generation, transmission and distribution – 10%
• Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing – 7%
• Scientific research and development services - 5%

Electronics engineers work mostly for the federal government, semiconductor manufacturing, and telecommunications companies. Industries employing the largest number of electronics engineers in 2010 were as follows:

• Federal government, excluding postal service - 14%
• Wired telecommunications carriers – 11%
• Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing – 11%
• Architectural, engineering, and related services – 8%
• Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing – 8%

Job Prospects of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6% job growth from 2010 to 2020 for electrical and electronics engineering professionals. These engineers will also be working in upcoming engineering and technology domains which further will boost the job growth. However, growth will be comparatively lesser in the sectors in which they are already employed. Job opportunities will also come from engineering services as companies will be more interested in taking engineering services instead for directly employing engineers as cost cutting measures. The services of electrical and electronics engineers will also be required in new technology areas for research and development tasks, testing and implementation.

Pay of Electrical and Electronics Engineer in the US

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage of electrical engineers was $84,540 in May 2010. 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. 

The 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