Engineering and Architecture · Career brief

Electrical Engineer

Is it a good career to pursue?

The 30-second read

Electrical Engineer at a glance

Six signals to look at before you spend time on the full guide.

1Pay

$120,630

High national median pay

2025 national median. Top 10% for pay among careers on ChooseField.

2Demand

9.9%

Strong projected growth

Projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Top 10% for growth among careers on ChooseField.

3Openings

11,400

Above the middle on opening volume

Average openings per year in 2025–2035, including replacement hiring. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for openings.

4Route in

Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is typically expected

Bachelor's degree. Prior related work is not typically required.

5The work

Hands-on

Practical work with tools, systems, or physical environments

Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.

6The catch

Know this first

What could make this a poor fit

Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.

ChooseField take

The strongest national signals are pay and growth; each ranks in the top quarter of ChooseField careers. It makes the most sense if hands-on work appeals to you and you are comfortable with a bachelor's-degree path. Main tradeoff: Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.

Before choosing, compare:Chemical Engineer Computer Hardware Engineer Mechanical Engineer

National labor-market measures: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. Work-profile signals: O*NET. See sources and caveats.

Compare Electrical Engineer with another field Explore rankings in Engineering and Architecture Open shareable infographic

Want the evidence behind the snapshot?

Market and path

Pay, outlook, and the route in

National median pay (2025)

$120,630

A midpoint for workers nationwide, not a starting salary.

2025–2035 outlook

9.9%employment growth11,400openings per year

Openings include replacement hiring, not only newly created jobs.

Typical entry route

Bachelor's degree

BLS reports the usual education, related experience, and on-the-job training, not a guaranteed minimum for every employer.

2025 employment

199,700

Estimated workers in this occupation across the United States.

Source: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 occupational projections ↗ · Electrical engineers (17-2071).

Actual responsibilities

What you would be trusted to own

Selected O*NET task statements, not a list of traits that applies to almost every career.

Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.

Work profile

What the work emphasizes

O*NET importance scores. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Working with Computers4.9
Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.9
Scheduling Work and Activities4.6
Documenting/Recording Information4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.5

Interest profile

Career interests

O*NET interest scores describe work someone may enjoy, not personality requirements. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Relative mix of the interest scores below, not percentages of your workday.

Realistic6.0
Investigative5.5
Conventional4.4
Enterprising2.4
Artistic2.1
Social1.7

Preparation

What the training must make you competent at

Subject matter

Engineering and Technology Computers and Electronics Design Mathematics

Software and tools named in job postings

Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit The MathWorks MATLAB Python C++ SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools

Before choosing the major or training

Run a cheaper test first

Complete a small design-build-test project with real constraints: measure, model, build or simulate, test, and revise after the first failure.
Ask an early-career worker which beginner task consumes the most time, what makes new hires quit, and what school or training failed to simulate.

The fuller career guide

How the evidence fits together

The tradeoff that matters most

Electrical engineering's strongest advantage is breadth across physical systems. The BLS evidence in this brief connects demand to electronics, semiconductors, communications technologies, solar equipment, and electrical infrastructure. The tradeoff is a formal engineering education path rather than a shorter skilled-trade route.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this career

Is electrical engineering a good career?

Consider this field if its core work interests you: research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Try an introductory project, class, or permitted observation before committing to training. Compare the actual cost and required experience with entry-level work available where you plan to live.

Electrical engineering vs computer science

Consider Electrical Engineer if you want to research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Consider Software Developer if you would rather research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Compare a sample task and the qualification requirements for each before choosing between them.

Electrical engineer vs electrician

Consider Electrical Engineer if you want to research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Consider Electrician if you would rather install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Compare a sample task and the qualification requirements for each before choosing between them.

Is electrical engineering hard?

The work calls for electrical principles, mathematics, and testing designs against real requirements. Try an introductory circuit course or a supervised design-and-measure project. Notice whether you enjoy diagnosing why a circuit differs from the model before judging the field by a degree's reputation.

Adjacent options

Compare before committing

The useful question is not whether one field wins overall, but what changes when you choose a nearby path. Explore the full career guides for Chemical Engineer, Computer Hardware Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrician.