Career Profile: Electrical Engineers

Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 192,400 people employed as electrical engineers in the United States. The median annual salary is $100,420. Entry level employees earn approximately $62,360 per year and senior employees earn approximately $162,930 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
• Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
• Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
• Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
• Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
• Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
• Develop systems that produce electricity with renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or biofuels.
• Integrate electrical systems with renewable energy systems to improve overall efficiency.
• Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
• Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes.
• Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.
• Conduct field surveys or study maps, graphs, diagrams, or other data to identify and correct power system problems.
• Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
• Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
• Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
• Design electrical systems or components that minimize electric energy requirements, such as lighting systems designed to account for natural lighting.
• Plan layout of electric power generating plants or distribution lines or stations.
• Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs.
• Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.

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