How the national numbers differ
1Electrical Engineer has the edge on median pay
Electrical Engineer is at $120,630, compared with $63,190 for Electrician.
Electrician has the edge on annual openings
Electrician is at 72,700 annual openings, compared with 11,400 annual openings for Electrical Engineer.
Typical preparation differs.
Electrical Engineer: Bachelor's degree Electrician: Most enter through a four- or five-year apprenticeship with paid work and classroom instruction. Apprentice pay starts below qualified-worker pay; check local licensing requirements. Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Electrical Engineer has the edge on projected growth
Electrical Engineer is at 9.9% projected growth, compared with 9.2% projected growth for Electrician.
74/ 100Electrical Engineer
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Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Electrical Engineer vs Electrician
| Dimension | Electrical Engineer | Electrician |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $120,630 | $63,190 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 89.6 percentile | 54 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 9.9% | 9.2% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 11,400 | 72,700 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 199,700 | 821,000 |
|---|
| How you qualify | Bachelor's degree | Most enter through a four- or five-year apprenticeship with paid work and classroom instruction. Apprentice pay starts below qualified-worker pay; check local licensing requirements. |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 4 | Job Zone 3 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. | A four- or five-year apprenticeship usually combines paid work with classroom instruction. Licensing requirements vary by location. |
| Schedules | Varies by employer and setting; ask about shifts, overtime, on-call work, and predictable hours. | Overtime, evenings, and weekends can occur; ask about the apprenticeship's combined work and class schedule. |
| Physical work | Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned. | Standing, kneeling, cramped spaces, and sometimes heights. Electrical hazards require safe working procedures. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
