If you find yourself drawn to the electrical engineering field, chances are you possess an analytical mindset and a strong aptitude for problem-solving. Along with the right college-level training and technical knowledge, these qualities can help you forge a career path that provides both intellectual stimulation and a healthy paycheck.
Electrical engineering careers span various sectors, including scientific research and development, telecommunications, aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare and energy. Across these diverse disciplines, electrical engineers develop and manage a vast array of complex electrical devices and systems.
Whether you’re considering a degree in electrical engineering or you’ve already graduated, use our guide to explore the many roles available in this cutting-edge field. We’ll also cover electrical engineering specializations and highlight professional organizations that can support your career journey.
Electrical engineering, a branch of the broader engineering field, deals with the practical application of all types of electricity.
Scientists have studied electrical phenomena since the 17th century. By the mid-1800s, electrical engineering emerged as a distinct discipline. With the popularization of inventions such as the telephone and incandescent lamp, the latter part of the 19th century saw increased demand for electrical engineers.
As demand for qualified professionals grew, so did the need for electrical engineer career training. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology established the United States’ first college-level electrical engineering curriculum in 1882.
Electrical engineers are essential to multiple economic sectors in today’s increasingly tech-integrated world. These professionals use their knowledge of mathematics and physics to design, test and modify equipment and systems that use or produce electricity, from the smallest nanotechnology components to the largest national power grids. They may also conduct academic research and oversee electrical device manufacturing.
Careers in Electrical Engineering
If you’re just starting out on your electrical engineering career path, here’s some good news: Engineering majors—including electrical engineering—top the National Association of Colleges and Employers‘ (NACE’s) list of disciplines with the highest starting salaries for new graduates.
In its 2023 salary survey, NACE reports that job-seekers with bachelor’s degrees in engineering fields earned an average starting salary of $74,405 as of 2023. Starting salaries for engineering master’s graduates averaged $86,826.
Below, we’ll detail a variety of careers in electrical engineering. We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale in November 2023.
Electrical or Electronics Engineer
These roles represent some of the major job categories open to electrical engineers, but the field offers many more possibilities. Consider these additional options:
Electrical Engineering Specializations
Electrical engineering careers include several major subdisciplines, which tend to overlap. As you plot your professional trajectory, consider which branches of electrical engineering interest you most.
Control Engineering
In this specialization area, engineers use control theory and feedback processes to develop and refine control systems—the “brains” that govern how electrical and electronic equipment and systems behave.
Communications and Signal Processing
Specialists in this field design, analyze and improve systems that transmit sound, images and data. Key areas of study include fiber optic, radio, microwave and satellite communication.
Power Engineering
This branch of electrical engineering deals with how electric power is generated and used. The BLS reports that organizations specializing in electric power generation, transmission and distribution employ nearly 1 in 10 electrical engineers.
Electronic Engineering
Electronic engineers design and test circuits that allow electronic devices to carry out tasks. The largest employers of electronic engineers include telecommunications companies, semiconductor and electronic component manufacturers, and the federal government.
Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics
This growing subfield deals with the smallest electronic circuit components. Microelectronics engineers need a strong grasp of materials engineering, chemistry and quantum mechanics.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering may be a standalone major or part of an electrical engineering degree program. This field deals with the design of computers and computer systems, particularly their hardware components.
Electrophysics
Focused on developing real-world applications for emerging physics research, this field bridges the gap between theory and practice. Electrophysics engineers need a creative mindset and a strong understanding of abstract physics principles.
Electrical Engineering vs. Computer Engineering: What’s the Difference?
If you’re considering a career in electrical engineering, you may wonder what distinguishes this field from computer engineering. These closely related disciplines overlap significantly. In fact, computer engineering is often considered a subset of electrical engineering, although expert opinions differ on the subject.
Electrical engineering is the study of anything that runs on or produces electricity, including computers. A much narrower field, computer engineering focuses solely on computers, combining electrical engineering competencies with computer science knowledge.
Professionals in both fields need skills in areas like computer-aided drafting, higher mathematics, circuit design and quantitative analysis. However, computer engineers are more likely to engage in software engineering and programming. They often need computing-specific skills like debugging and may learn more programming languages.
Professional Organizations for Electrical Engineering
Professional organizations offer member benefits like mentorship, networking events, conferences, job boards and professional development resources. Connect with one or more of these organizations to boost your career development.
IEEE. IEEE’s roots date back to 1884. The group boasts over 420,000 members, making it the world’s largest organization for technology and engineering professionals. IEEE welcomes members working in electrical and electronics engineering and allied fields.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). This network includes nearly 100,000 computing educators, researchers and professionals. ACM offers a career center, more than 30 special interest groups and hundreds of local chapters.
SPIE. This organization serves professionals, educators and researchers in the optics and photonics fields. Members enjoy access to networking events, learning resources, and SPIE’s student and career hubs.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). This organization supports working professionals and students from kindergarten through graduate school. NSBE special interest groups include programs dedicated to energy and aerospace engineering.
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). This international organization focuses on combating climate change by improving energy efficiency. AEE offers energy-related certifications and opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Founded in 1950, this organization empowers women to succeed in engineering fields. SWE offers youth programs, a mentor network and 21 affinity groups.
Audio Engineering Society (AES). AES provides networking and mentorship opportunities for student and professional audio engineers. Members can access over 20,000 publications in the organization’s online library.
#ElectricalEngineering #TechCareers #EngineeringJobs #HighPayingRoles #EngineeringOpportunities
nternational Research Awards on Mechanics of Functional Materials and Structures
More Info contact@sciencefather.com Get Connected Here:================== Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MechanicsMS/channels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_anastasiadavis/tagged/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/mechanicsmedia/ Blog: https://anastasiadavis147.blogspot.com/ Tumb: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/anastasia147 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Julie-Jessic Twitter: https://x.com/anastas75466916 Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicsawards/
Whether you’re considering a degree in electrical engineering or you’ve already graduated, use our guide to explore the many roles available in this cutting-edge field. We’ll also cover electrical engineering specializations and highlight professional organizations that can support your career journey.
Electrical engineering, a branch of the broader engineering field, deals with the practical application of all types of electricity.
Scientists have studied electrical phenomena since the 17th century. By the mid-1800s, electrical engineering emerged as a distinct discipline. With the popularization of inventions such as the telephone and incandescent lamp, the latter part of the 19th century saw increased demand for electrical engineers.
As demand for qualified professionals grew, so did the need for electrical engineer career training. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology established the United States’ first college-level electrical engineering curriculum in 1882.
Electrical engineers are essential to multiple economic sectors in today’s increasingly tech-integrated world. These professionals use their knowledge of mathematics and physics to design, test and modify equipment and systems that use or produce electricity, from the smallest nanotechnology components to the largest national power grids. They may also conduct academic research and oversee electrical device manufacturing.
Careers in Electrical Engineering
If you’re just starting out on your electrical engineering career path, here’s some good news: Engineering majors—including electrical engineering—top the National Association of Colleges and Employers‘ (NACE’s) list of disciplines with the highest starting salaries for new graduates.
In its 2023 salary survey, NACE reports that job-seekers with bachelor’s degrees in engineering fields earned an average starting salary of $74,405 as of 2023. Starting salaries for engineering master’s graduates averaged $86,826.
Below, we’ll detail a variety of careers in electrical engineering. We sourced salary data for this section from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale in November 2023.
Electrical or Electronics Engineer
These roles represent some of the major job categories open to electrical engineers, but the field offers many more possibilities. Consider these additional options:
Electrical Engineering Specializations
Electrical engineering careers include several major subdisciplines, which tend to overlap. As you plot your professional trajectory, consider which branches of electrical engineering interest you most.
Control Engineering
In this specialization area, engineers use control theory and feedback processes to develop and refine control systems—the “brains” that govern how electrical and electronic equipment and systems behave.
Communications and Signal Processing
Specialists in this field design, analyze and improve systems that transmit sound, images and data. Key areas of study include fiber optic, radio, microwave and satellite communication.
Power Engineering
This branch of electrical engineering deals with how electric power is generated and used. The BLS reports that organizations specializing in electric power generation, transmission and distribution employ nearly 1 in 10 electrical engineers.
Electronic Engineering
Electronic engineers design and test circuits that allow electronic devices to carry out tasks. The largest employers of electronic engineers include telecommunications companies, semiconductor and electronic component manufacturers, and the federal government.
Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics
This growing subfield deals with the smallest electronic circuit components. Microelectronics engineers need a strong grasp of materials engineering, chemistry and quantum mechanics.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering may be a standalone major or part of an electrical engineering degree program. This field deals with the design of computers and computer systems, particularly their hardware components.
Electrophysics
Focused on developing real-world applications for emerging physics research, this field bridges the gap between theory and practice. Electrophysics engineers need a creative mindset and a strong understanding of abstract physics principles.
Electrical Engineering vs. Computer Engineering: What’s the Difference?
If you’re considering a career in electrical engineering, you may wonder what distinguishes this field from computer engineering. These closely related disciplines overlap significantly. In fact, computer engineering is often considered a subset of electrical engineering, although expert opinions differ on the subject.
Electrical engineering is the study of anything that runs on or produces electricity, including computers. A much narrower field, computer engineering focuses solely on computers, combining electrical engineering competencies with computer science knowledge.
Professionals in both fields need skills in areas like computer-aided drafting, higher mathematics, circuit design and quantitative analysis. However, computer engineers are more likely to engage in software engineering and programming. They often need computing-specific skills like debugging and may learn more programming languages.
Professional Organizations for Electrical Engineering
Professional organizations offer member benefits like mentorship, networking events, conferences, job boards and professional development resources. Connect with one or more of these organizations to boost your career development.
IEEE. IEEE’s roots date back to 1884. The group boasts over 420,000 members, making it the world’s largest organization for technology and engineering professionals. IEEE welcomes members working in electrical and electronics engineering and allied fields.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). This network includes nearly 100,000 computing educators, researchers and professionals. ACM offers a career center, more than 30 special interest groups and hundreds of local chapters.
SPIE. This organization serves professionals, educators and researchers in the optics and photonics fields. Members enjoy access to networking events, learning resources, and SPIE’s student and career hubs.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). This organization supports working professionals and students from kindergarten through graduate school. NSBE special interest groups include programs dedicated to energy and aerospace engineering.
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). This international organization focuses on combating climate change by improving energy efficiency. AEE offers energy-related certifications and opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Founded in 1950, this organization empowers women to succeed in engineering fields. SWE offers youth programs, a mentor network and 21 affinity groups.
Audio Engineering Society (AES). AES provides networking and mentorship opportunities for student and professional audio engineers. Members can access over 20,000 publications in the organization’s online library.
#ElectricalEngineering #TechCareers #EngineeringJobs #HighPayingRoles #EngineeringOpportunities
nternational Research Awards on Mechanics of Functional Materials and Structures
More Info contact@sciencefather.com Get Connected Here:================== Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MechanicsMS/channels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_anastasiadavis/tagged/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/mechanicsmedia/ Blog: https://anastasiadavis147.blogspot.com/ Tumb: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/anastasia147 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Julie-Jessic Twitter: https://x.com/anastas75466916 Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanicsawards/
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