Electrical Engineer: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Electrical Engineers earn a national median of $111,910/yr with 7.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Design.

Median Salary

$111,910

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

7.2%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

188,790

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Electrical Engineer

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Electrical Engineer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Writing 2 Reading Comprehension 3 Critical Thinking 4 Active Listening 5 Speaking 6 Active Learning 7 Complex Problem Solving 8 Monitoring 9 Mathematics 10 Coordination

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Electrical Engineer performance, based on verified occupational data.

Engineering and Technology Computers and Electronics Design English Language Mathematics

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Electrical Engineer roles.

Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit ETAP Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Python SKM Systems Analysis Power Tools The MathWorks MATLAB Apache Subversion SVN

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 7.2% for Electrical Engineer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
188,790
Projected Growth
7.2%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Top Employers

Companies actively hiring for Electrical Engineer roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.

Company Median Disclosed Salary Filings
Apple Inc $151,433 186
Johnson & Johnson $113,951 2
AbbVie Inc $106,163 4
SpaceX $73,611 1

Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Electrical Engineer do?
Electrical Engineers apply expertise in Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Design to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening.
How much does a Electrical Engineer make?
The national median salary for a Electrical Engineer is $111,910 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Electrical Engineer a good career in 2026?
Employment for Electrical Engineer roles is projected to grow 7.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 188,790 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Electrical Engineer?
The typical entry-level education for a Electrical Engineer is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Electrical Engineers need?
The most important skills for Electrical Engineer roles based on verified occupational data: Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring, Mathematics, Coordination. Key tools and technologies include: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, ETAP, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.