# Electrical Engineers

> Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2071.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $120,630 (10th percentile $76,550, 90th percentile $184,300)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +9.9%
- Openings a year: 11,400
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 84 |
| Investigative (I) | 74 |
| Artistic (A) | 19 |
| Social (S) | 12 |
| Enterprising (E) | 24 |
| Conventional (C) | 57 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 98/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 97/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 90/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 89/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 88/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 84/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 84/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 83/100)
- Getting Information (importance 83/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 81/100)

## Skills

Writing, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking, Monitoring, Mathematics, Coordination

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Design, English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Production and Processing, Mechanical, Public Safety and Security, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Automation Engineer, Cable Engineer, Circuits Engineer, Controls Engineer, Design Engineer, Design Verification Engineer, Distribution Engineer, Distribution Field Engineer, District Plant Engineer, Division Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1410) (CIP 1410, 456 colleges)
- [Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1447) (CIP 1447, 46 colleges)
- Electromechanical Engineering (CIP 1441, 10 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,074 | $250,168 | $19,500 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $154,713 | $200,543 | $13,548 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $150,863 | $161,118 | $15,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $110,607 | $147,241 | $12,750 |
| [The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin-main-campus-2764) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $111,942 | $146,003 | $18,118 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $143,332 | not reported |
| [Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art-704) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | not reported | $139,068 | not reported |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $103,698 | $136,656 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Electronics Engineers, Except Computer](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronics-engineers-except-computer): $130,220 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineers): $104,110 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-repairers-commercial-and-industrial-equipment): $74,090 median pay
- [Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechanical-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $74,510 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-repairers-powerhouse-substation-and-relay): $103,020 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.