Electrical Engineer Career Guide

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for electrical engineers was $120,630 as of May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all U.S. occupations.^{(See disclaimer 5)} The lowest-paid 10% of electrical engineers earned less than $76,550, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $184,300.5 Actual salaries vary by experience, industry, location and job responsibilities.

Electrical engineering is considered a challenging field because it requires a strong foundation in advanced mathematics, physics, circuit analysis and technical problem-solving. Students may study calculus, differential equations, electronics and electromagnetics while learning to use computer-based design tools to analyze and solve engineering problems. The field may appeal to people who enjoy complex problem-solving and learning how electrical systems work.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Becoming an electrical engineer typically requires completing a bachelor’s degree.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The number of credits a student completes each term can vary based on factors such as course load, transfer credits and program requirements. Additional education or licensure requirements may involve further coursework depending on career goals.

Electrical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering or a related field.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Employers may also look for practical experience gained through internships, laboratory projects or cooperative education programs. Strong mathematics, circuit analysis, computer and communication skills are also important. The FE exam is optional unless an engineer plans to pursue Professional Engineer licensure.

Engineering encompasses many specialties, but seven common disciplines are electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, aerospace, biomedical and computer engineering.^{(See disclaimer 8)} Each field focuses on different systems, technologies and applications, and additional specialties include environmental, industrial, materials and software engineering.

No, electrical engineers generally do not need a Professional Engineer license for entry-level or many private-sector positions.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Licensure may be required for engineers who approve plans, oversee regulated projects or provide engineering services directly to the public.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The typical licensure path includes passing the FE exam, gaining qualifying work experience and passing the PE exam. Requirements vary by state,

Electrical engineers use different software depending on their specialty and job responsibilities, so they are not expected to know every engineering program. For example, electrical engineers may use circuit simulation tools for electronics work, computer-aided design (CAD) software for schematics and controls or modeling and analysis software for power and control systems. Specific tools vary by employer, industry and area of specialization.