# 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. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronics-engineers-except-computer
- SOC code: 17-2072.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $130,220 (10th percentile $81,840, 90th percentile $206,960)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +3.7%
- Openings a year: 4,900
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 87 |
| Investigative (I) | 80 |
| Artistic (A) | 17 |
| Social (S) | 10 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 61 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 89/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 84/100)
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (importance 82/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 79/100)
- Getting Information (importance 78/100)
- Processing Information (importance 74/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 73/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 72/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)

## 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

## 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

## 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)

## 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

- [Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $78,190 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
- [Electrical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-engineers): $120,630 median pay
- [Microsystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microsystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Mechatronics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mechatronics-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radio-frequency-identification-device-specialists): $130,220 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.