Electrical Engineer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available in electrical engineering. Typically, students may choose an area of concentration such as power systems or microwave engineering.
Training and Education
Successful employees find it useful to have a bachelor's degree. According to recent surveys, 81% of electrical engineers had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 17%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 3% of employees.
Job Overview
Electrical engineers primarily focus on generation and supply of power. They're involved with equipment such as electric motors, machinery controls, radar and navigation systems; power generation, control and transmission devices used by electrical utilities; lighting and wiring in buildings, and communications systems. Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment for commercial, industrial, scientific and military use.
Job Requirements
Employers prefer applicants that have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Some individuals earn a master's degree in electrical engineering.
Nature of Work
- Develop technical drawings and specifications of electrical systems
- Oversee and coordinate manufacturing, installation, maintenance and testing procedures to ensure they comply with specifications, codes and customer requirements
- Establish manufacturing and installation specifications and standards
- Plan and implement research procedures and methodologies to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects
Area Job Conditions
Looking at electrical engineers per capita, Lowell (Massachusetts), Framingham (Massachusetts), and Jackson (Michigan) rise to the top of the list. Fresno (California), Lancaster (Pennsylvania), and Stockton (California) have the fewest per capita.
The highest salaries for workers are in and around Stockton (California), Santa Cruz (California), and Sherman (Texas). The lowest-paying areas are Blacksburg (Virginia), Bowling Green (Kentucky), and College Station (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Electrical engineers working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 2% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 2% of workers who do so.
Career Videos
Electrical Engineers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $78,000 | 1,350 | +139% |
| Decatur | $87,000 | 70 | +29% |
| Florence | $87,000 | 60 | +14% |
| Huntsville | $93,000 | 1,690 | +628% |
| Mobile | $85,000 | 200 | +2% |
| Montgomery | $93,000 | 160 | -11% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $93,000 | 350 | +89% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $96,000 | 2,760 | +35% |
| Tucson | $97,000 | 1,580 | +306% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $70,000 | 100 | -56% |
| Fort Smith | $78,000 | 50 | -63% |
| Little Rock | $83,000 | 160 | -59% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $92,000 | 340 | +16% |
| Fresno | $87,000 | 60 | -83% |
| Los Angeles | $92,000 | 5,050 | +7% |
| Oakland | $104,000 | 1,520 | +32% |
| Oxnard | $87,000 | 350 | +4% |
| Redding | $82,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Riverside | $81,000 | 460 | -67% |
| Sacramento | $121,000 | 860 | -14% |
| Salinas | $87,000 | 40 | -77% |
| San Diego | $99,000 | 1,790 | +18% |
| San Francisco | $91,000 | 910 | -21% |
| San Jose | $110,000 | 4,410 | +325% |
| San Luis Obispo | $92,000 | 100 | +1% |
| Santa Ana | $89,000 | 1,450 | -14% |
| Santa Barbara | $113,000 | 320 | +72% |
| Santa Rosa | $99,000 | 150 | -22% |
| Vallejo | $86,000 | 70 | -46% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $80,000 | 670 | +135% |
| Denver | $85,000 | 2,420 | +68% |
| Fort Collins | $76,000 | 220 | +61% |
| Greeley | $84,000 | 60 | -21% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $82,000 | 640 | +31% |
| Danbury | $80,000 | 130 | +83% |
| Hartford | $79,000 | 480 | -27% |
| New Haven | $86,000 | 250 | -19% |
| Norwich | $88,000 | 120 | -10% |
| Waterbury | $76,000 | 40 | -43% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $95,000 | 720 | +94% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $100,000 | 3,800 | +35% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $77,000 | 120 | -29% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $80,000 | 270 | -66% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $89,000 | 330 | +312% |
| Jacksonville | $80,000 | 340 | -51% |
| Lakeland | $72,000 | 120 | -43% |
| Miami | $84,000 | 500 | -56% |
| Ocala | $77,000 | 60 | -36% |
| Orlando | $71,000 | 890 | -24% |
| Palm Bay | $89,000 | 1,450 | +558% |
| Panama City | $85,000 | 160 | +124% |
| Pensacola | $66,000 | 80 | -51% |
| Port St Lucie | $72,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Sarasota | $97,000 | 180 | -35% |
| Sebastian | $61,000 | 30 | -37% |
| Tallahassee | $67,000 | 120 | -33% |
| Tampa | $74,000 | 1,490 | +13% |
| West Palm Beach | $81,000 | 410 | -31% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $81,000 | 40 | -37% |
| Athens | $67,000 | 30 | -59% |
| Atlanta | $86,000 | 2,080 | -22% |
| Augusta | $87,000 | 400 | +74% |
| Columbus | 30 | -75% | |
| Warner Robins | $84,000 | 130 | +139% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $81,000 | 520 | +3% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $88,000 | 1,130 | +283% |
| Coeur Dalene | $80,000 | 50 | -2% |
| Idaho Falls | $94,000 | 40 | -15% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $78,000 | 90 | -18% |
| Chicago | $88,000 | 3,170 | -27% |
| Peoria | $93,000 | 230 | +22% |
| Rockford | $72,000 | 120 | -22% |
| Springfield | $87,000 | 50 | -57% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $74,000 | 120 | +65% |
| Columbus | $74,000 | 100 | +168% |
| Elkhart | $63,000 | 60 | -49% |
| Evansville | $77,000 | 160 | -16% |
| Fort Wayne | $82,000 | 510 | +123% |
| Gary | $74,000 | 270 | -11% |
| Indianapolis | $76,000 | 680 | -34% |
| Kokomo | $89,000 | 320 | +738% |
| South Bend | $65,000 | 80 | -43% |
| Terre Haute | $74,000 | 60 | -15% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $73,000 | 70 | -66% |
| Des Moines | $79,000 | 170 | -55% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $80,000 | 30 | -75% |
| Wichita | $74,000 | 440 | +35% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $108,000 | 250 | -8% |
| Louisville | $76,000 | 560 | -20% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $93,000 | 520 | +22% |
| Lafayette | $71,000 | 100 | -36% |
| New Orleans | $94,000 | 250 | -59% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $83,000 | 100 | -55% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $88,000 | 1,930 | +27% |
| Bethesda | $92,000 | 970 | +46% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $100,000 | 90 | -16% |
| Boston | $107,000 | 4,500 | +123% |
| Framingham | $101,000 | 770 | +326% |
| Haverhill | $93,000 | 90 | +4% |
| Lawrence | $79,000 | 60 | -2% |
| Leominster | $78,000 | 70 | +40% |
| Lowell | $106,000 | 730 | +459% |
| Peabody | $93,000 | 200 | +83% |
| Springfield | $91,000 | 390 | +15% |
| Taunton | $99,000 | 190 | +324% |
| Worcester | $100,000 | 330 | +16% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | $72,000 | 50 | +59% |
| Detroit | $80,000 | 840 | +9% |
| Flint | $74,000 | 40 | -72% |
| Grand Rapids | $76,000 | 270 | -37% |
| Holland | $65,000 | 160 | +55% |
| Jackson | $72,000 | 270 | +451% |
| Kalamazoo | $80,000 | 80 | -46% |
| Lansing | $66,000 | 70 | -68% |
| Saginaw | $67,000 | 40 | -54% |
| Warren | $86,000 | 1,770 | +42% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $84,000 | 140 | -1% |
| Mankato | $74,000 | 50 | -13% |
| Minneapolis | $87,000 | 3,430 | +66% |
| Rochester | $80,000 | 40 | -64% |
| St Cloud | $63,000 | 40 | -61% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $77,000 | 150 | +29% |
| Jackson | $67,000 | 130 | -55% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $81,000 | 1,510 | +29% |
| Springfield | $78,000 | 170 | -20% |
| St Joseph | $97,000 | 40 | -22% |
| St Louis | $87,000 | 2,210 | +43% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $67,000 | 110 | +23% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $80,000 | 150 | -15% |
| Omaha | $81,000 | 310 | -43% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $94,000 | 180 | -82% |
| Reno | $91,000 | 220 | +3% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $79,000 | 180 | +61% |
| Nashua | $100,000 | 710 | +372% |
| Portsmouth | $87,000 | 130 | +120% |
| Rochester | $65,000 | 80 | +46% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $92,000 | 60 | -62% |
| Edison | $83,000 | 840 | -29% |
| Newark | $85,000 | 680 | -41% |
| Trenton | $93,000 | 170 | -34% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $92,000 | 670 | +52% |
| Farmington | $86,000 | 50 | 0% |
| Las Cruces | $77,000 | 110 | +66% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $85,000 | 550 | +6% |
| Binghamton | $85,000 | 1,400 | +1047% |
| Buffalo | $73,000 | 510 | -20% |
| Elmira | $89,000 | 40 | +7% |
| Ithaca | $85,000 | 100 | +147% |
| Nassau | $98,000 | 1,200 | -18% |
| New York | $92,000 | 3,650 | -40% |
| Poughkeepsie | $81,000 | 120 | -57% |
| Rochester | $76,000 | 1,190 | +105% |
| Utica | $88,000 | 80 | -41% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $81,000 | 70 | -64% |
| Charlotte | $78,000 | 610 | -38% |
| Durham | $87,000 | 270 | -14% |
| Fayetteville | $66,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Goldsboro | $71,000 | 30 | -25% |
| Greensboro | $78,000 | 170 | -58% |
| Hickory | $84,000 | 110 | -32% |
| Raleigh | $92,000 | 630 | +6% |
| Wilmington | $116,000 | 80 | -47% |
| Winston Salem | $82,000 | 70 | -70% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $69,000 | 120 | -10% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $74,000 | 290 | -21% |
| Canton | $72,000 | 110 | -41% |
| Cincinnati | $77,000 | 950 | -19% |
| Cleveland | $82,000 | 1,220 | +3% |
| Columbus | $73,000 | 990 | -7% |
| Dayton | $84,000 | 490 | +12% |
| Mansfield | $76,000 | 50 | -5% |
| Steubenville | $75,000 | 50 | +22% |
| Toledo | $72,000 | 330 | -1% |
| Youngstown | $67,000 | 110 | -57% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $84,000 | 540 | -19% |
| Tulsa | $72,000 | 690 | +40% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $74,000 | 60 | -8% |
| Eugene | $93,000 | 80 | -48% |
| Portland | $94,000 | 1,590 | +34% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $81,000 | 250 | -37% |
| Erie | $76,000 | 170 | +21% |
| Harrisburg | $84,000 | 180 | -51% |
| Johnstown | $72,000 | 60 | +4% |
| Lancaster | $79,000 | 60 | -77% |
| Philadelphia | $90,000 | 1,710 | -23% |
| Pittsburgh | $83,000 | 1,470 | +11% |
| Reading | $84,000 | 140 | -24% |
| Scranton | $78,000 | 80 | -73% |
| State College | $74,000 | 40 | -38% |
| York | $73,000 | 200 | +2% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $91,000 | 530 | -17% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $81,000 | 40 | -31% |
| Charleston | $75,000 | 360 | +10% |
| Columbia | $86,000 | 420 | +5% |
| Florence | $82,000 | 50 | -40% |
| Greenville | $82,000 | 330 | -3% |
| Myrtle Beach | $70,000 | 60 | -49% |
| Spartanburg | $74,000 | 80 | -36% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $65,000 | 30 | -55% |
| Sioux Falls | $75,000 | 40 | -74% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $88,000 | 370 | +44% |
| Clarksville | $74,000 | 40 | -52% |
| Jackson | $70,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Johnson City | $63,000 | 50 | -34% |
| Kingsport | $71,000 | 100 | -24% |
| Knoxville | $86,000 | 370 | -3% |
| Memphis | $84,000 | 260 | -63% |
| Nashville | $82,000 | 550 | -36% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $80,000 | 60 | -48% |
| Austin | $96,000 | 930 | +2% |
| College Station | $43,000 | 190 | +93% |
| Corpus Christi | $83,000 | 50 | -75% |
| Dallas | $96,000 | 3,850 | +58% |
| El Paso | $81,000 | 100 | -68% |
| Fort Worth | $72,000 | 1,020 | +2% |
| Houston | $91,000 | 2,650 | -13% |
| Longview | $79,000 | 60 | -41% |
| San Antonio | $78,000 | 290 | -71% |
| Sherman | $124,000 | 40 | -2% |
| Victoria | $88,000 | 30 | -38% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $66,000 | 80 | +68% |
| Provo | $75,000 | 100 | -47% |
| Salt Lake City | $77,000 | 820 | +17% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $82,000 | 150 | +24% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $67,000 | 230 | +267% |
| Charlottesville | $65,000 | 300 | +226% |
| Lynchburg | 330 | +211% | |
| Richmond | $81,000 | 910 | +28% |
| Roanoke | $79,000 | 300 | +74% |
| Virginia Beach | $80,000 | 1,200 | +37% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $86,000 | 50 | -35% |
| Bremerton | $78,000 | 130 | +48% |
| Kennewick | $93,000 | 260 | +142% |
| Mount Vernon | $90,000 | 30 | -32% |
| Seattle | $89,000 | 2,620 | +61% |
| Spokane | $81,000 | 170 | -26% |
| Tacoma | $93,000 | 230 | -23% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $79,000 | 60 | -63% |
| Huntington | $75,000 | 40 | -68% |
| Parkersburg | $90,000 | 30 | -58% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $74,000 | 150 | +20% |
| Green Bay | $76,000 | 260 | +39% |
| La Crosse | $79,000 | 140 | +87% |
| Madison | $78,000 | 660 | +71% |
| Milwaukee | $76,000 | 1,440 | +50% |
| Oshkosh | $73,000 | 110 | +18% |
| Sheboygan | $71,000 | 50 | -13% |
| Wausau | $74,000 | 50 | -27% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $74,000 | 30 | -29% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Electrical Engineers schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.