What does an Electrical Engineer do?
Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems. These systems might be as small as smartphones or as large as aircraft. Electrical engineers normally work regular full-time hours in an office, though they may occasionally need to visit a project site. Since a wide range of companies use electrical engineers, they are able to specialize in markets such as power, communications, or computing. They might also become project managers, researchers, or consultants.
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Working as an Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers have a number of responsibilities, including:
- Developing or improving productions through innovative use of electrical power
- Testing products, components and systems through innovative use of electrical power
- Evaluating electrical devices, components and systems to make sure they meet the required codes and safety standards
- Developing and leading research projects
- Designing electrical testing methods that demonstrate product quality
How much does an Electrical Engineer make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a electrical engineer is $95,811 per year in the United States. 20.1k salaries reported, updated at September 29, 2023
Where can an Electrical Engineer earn more?
Compare salaries for Electrical Engineers in different locations
How much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Project Engineer
Job openingsAverage $84,074 per year
Design Engineer
Job openingsAverage $87,497 per year
Controls Engineer
Job openingsAverage $86,231 per year
System Engineer
Job openingsAverage $105,660 per year
Electrical Designer
Job openingsAverage $87,824 per year
Common questions about for an Electrical Engineer
Is electrical engineering a good career?
If you are looking for a career that offers a diverse range of work, reasonably high demand and a good salary, you can consider electrical engineering.
Is electrical engineering dangerous?
If you work with live electrical systems, then there is always risk involved. However, most of your work will involve designing at a desk. When you have to work with electrical systems, you can minimize risk by staying focused and following safety procedures.
What software products do electrical engineers use?
For numerical and graphical simulations, MATLAB and Simulink are very popular among electrical engineers. You may also use AutoCAD for drawing circuits and Microsoft Excel.
