SOC 17-2072.00

    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

    Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.

    Median pay
    $130,220
    Growth
    +3.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    4,900
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $81,840
    Median
    $130,220
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $206,960
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    96,900 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Electronics engineers design, research, and test electronic components and systems used in fields like telecommunications and aerospace. The career offers a median annual pay of $130,220.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What electronics engineers, except computer do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    Electronics engineers spend their days researching, designing, and testing electronic components, circuits, and systems. This work is highly technical and applies to commercial, military, scientific, and industrial equipment, including acoustics, instruments, and aerospace guidance systems.

    On a daily basis, these professionals work extensively with computers to analyze data, solve complex problems, and draft technical specifications for devices and parts. They must gather and process information to make critical decisions and find creative design solutions. The role requires a strong foundation in engineering, technology, physics, mathematics, and computers.

    To succeed, individuals need strong skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening, and systems analysis. Key work styles include a high attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, innovation, and dependability. This career strongly appeals to people with realistic interests who enjoy practical, hands-on problem-solving.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, which is the standard entry-level education. Most professionals also need several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this career commonly major in electrical, electronics, and communications engineering.

    While not always mandatory, various professional certifications can help demonstrate expertise. Examples of available certifications include the Certified Systems Engineering Professional from the International Council on Systems Engineering, the Fundamentals of Engineering - Electrical and Computer exam from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, and specialized credentials from ETA International, such as the Residential Electronics Systems Integrator - Audio/Video or Smart Technology Systems. Additionally, some states list a license for this work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for electronics engineers was $130,220. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience, location, and industry. The lowest 10% of workers in this field earn less than $81,840, while the highest 10% earn more than $206,960.

    There are 96,900 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.7%, which is considered as fast as average for all occupations. Job seekers can expect about 4,900 job openings each year during this ten-year period.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    87 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    80 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    17 / 100
    Social (S)
    10 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    10 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    61 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RIC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Working with Computers
    89
    Analyzing Data or Information
    84
    Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
    82
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    79
    Getting Information
    78
    Processing Information
    74
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    73
    Documenting/Recording Information
    72
    Thinking Creatively
    71
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    70
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Speaking
    • Active Listening
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Systems Analysis
    • Mathematics
    • Writing
    • Monitoring

    Knowledge

    • Engineering and Technology
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Design
    • Mathematics
    • English Language
    • Mechanical
    • Physics
    • Education and Training
    • Production and Processing
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Expression
    • Mathematical Reasoning

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Perseverance
    • Self-Confidence
    • Adaptability

    Also called

    Antenna Engineer · Audio Visual Engineer (AV Engineer) · Audio Visual Manager · Automation Engineer · Central Office Equipment Engineer · Central Office Facilities Planning Engineer · Circuit Design Engineer · Circuit Designer · Commercial Engineer · Communications Engineer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to electronics engineers, except computer

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$130,220 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,074
      4 yrs after
      $250,168
      Median debt
      $19,500
    2. 2University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $154,713
      4 yrs after
      $200,543
      Median debt
      $13,548
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $150,863
      4 yrs after
      $161,118
      Median debt
      $15,000
    4. 4Cornell University-New York logo
      Cornell University-New York

      Ithaca, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $110,607
      4 yrs after
      $147,241
      Median debt
      $12,750
    5. 5The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus logo
      The University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

      Austin, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $111,942
      4 yrs after
      $146,003
      Median debt
      $18,118
    6. 6Columbia University in the City of New York logo
      Columbia University in the City of New York

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $143,332
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7
      Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

      New York, NY · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $139,068
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8Rice University logo
      Rice University

      Houston, TX · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $103,698
      4 yrs after
      $136,656
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What electronics engineers, except computer may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Electrical and Electronics Engineering
    • Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other
    • Telecommunications Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    50 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about electronics engineers, except computer

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common alternative job titles for this career?

    People in this field are also called antenna engineers, communications engineers, circuit designers, and automation engineers. Other titles include audio visual managers, commercial engineers, and central office equipment engineers.

    What college majors are most relevant to this field?

    The most direct academic path is a major in electrical, electronics, and communications engineering. This program provides the necessary training in mathematics, physics, and design.

    What certifications are available for electronics engineers?

    Engineers can earn certifications like the Certified Systems Engineering Professional or the Fundamentals of Engineering - Electrical and Computer credential. There are also specialized ETA International certifications in smart technology systems and audio/video integration.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.