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.

Also called: Circuits Engineer, Design Engineer, Electrical Controls Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Electrical Project Engineer, Engineer, Instrumentation and Electrical Reliability Engineer (I&E Reliability Engineer), Project Engineer, Test Engineer, Automation Engineer, Cable Engineer, Controls Engineer, Design Verification Engineer, Distribution Engineer, Distribution Field Engineer, District Plant Engineer, Division Engineer, Division Plant Engineer, Electrical Designer, Electrical Engineering Intern, Electrical Integrator, Electrical Power Engineer, Electrical Products Engineer, Electrical Prospecting Engineer, Electrical Research Engineer, Electrical Systems Engineer, Electrical Test Engineer, Electrolysis and Corrosion Control Engineer, Electrolysis Engineer, Electrolysis Investigator, Field Engineer, Geothermal Electrical Engineer, Hydroelectric Plant Electrical Engineer, Illuminating Engineer, Induction Coordination Engineer, Induction Coordination Power Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer, Laser Engineer, Lighting Engineer, Line Construction Engineer, Meter Engineer, Outside Plant Engineer, Photovoltaic Power Systems Engineer (PV Power Systems Engineer), Photovoltaic Solar Cell Designer (PV Solar Cell Designer), Plant Engineer, Power Distribution Engineer, Power Generation Engineer, Power Systems Electrical Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Power Transmission Engineer, Protection Engineer, Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer), Results Engineer, Rural Electrification Engineer, SCADA Engineer (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Engineer), Service Engineer, Smart Grid Engineer, Substation Electrical Engineer, Substation Engineer, Systems Development Engineer, Testing Engineer, Transmission Engineer, Transmission Line Engineer, Utility Engineer, Wind Farm Electrical Systems Designer, Wind Turbine Electrical Engineer, Wire Communications Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.

Skills, machines and equipment

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

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (81.62% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

92,830–152,950 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 17-2071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Deepen PLC, controls, robot integration, and safe troubleshooting skills; explore senior technician, integration, or automation project responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (81.62% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Electrical Engineers