From the global positioning system that can continuously provide the
location of a vehicle to giant electric power generators, electrical and
electronics engineers are responsible for a wide range of technologies.
Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the
manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment. Some of this equipment
includes broadcast and communications systems; electric motors, machinery
controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings, automobiles, aircraft, and radar
and navigation systems; and power generating, controlling, and transmission
devices used by electric utilities. Many electrical and electronics engineers
also work in areas closely related to computers. However, engineers whose work
is related exclusively to computer hardware are considered computer
hardware engineers, another engineering specialty covered elsewhere in the Handbook.
Electrical and electronics engineers specialize in different areas such as
power generation, transmission, and distribution; communications; and electrical
equipment manufacturing, or a specialty within one of these areas—industrial
robot control systems or aviation electronics, for example. Electrical and
electronics engineers design new products, write performance requirements, and
develop maintenance schedules. They also test equipment, solve operating
problems, and estimate the time and cost of engineering projects.
Electrical and electronics engineers held about 292,000 jobs in 2002, making
up the largest branch of engineering. Most jobs were in professional,
scientific, and technical services firms, government agencies, and manufacturers
of computer and electronic products and machinery. Wholesale trade,
communications, and utilities firms accounted for most of the remaining jobs.
Electrical and electronics engineering graduates should have favorable
employment opportunities. The number of job openings resulting from employment
growth and the need to replace electrical engineers who transfer to other
occupations or leave the labor force is expected to be in rough balance with the
supply of graduates.
Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is expected to grow
more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2012. Although
rising demand for electrical and electronic goods, including advanced
communications equipment, defense-related electronic equipment, and consumer
electronics products should increase, foreign competition for electronic
products and increasing use of engineering services performed in other countries
will act to limit employment growth Job growth is expected to be fastest in
services industries—particularly consulting firms that provide electronic
engineering expertise.
Continuing education is important for electrical and electronics engineers.
Engineers who fail to keep up with the rapid changes in technology risk becoming
more susceptible to layoffs or, at a minimum, more likely to be passed over for
advancement.
Median annual earnings of electrical engineers were $68,180 in 2002. The
middle 50 percent earned between $54,550 and $84,670. The lowest 10 percent
earned less than $44,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,980.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of
electrical engineers in 2002 were:
Scientific research and development services
$77,410
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
72,670
Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution
71,640
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments
manufacturing
70,430
Architectural, engineering, and related services
66,980
Median annual earnings of electronics engineers, except computer, were
$69,930 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $55,930 and $85,980. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,310, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $103,860. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the
largest numbers of electronics engineers in 2002 were:
Federal government
$78,830
Architectural, engineering, and related services
72,850
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments
manufacturing
70,950
Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
70,800
Wired telecommunications carriers
62,670
According to a 2003 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges
and Employers, bachelor’s degree candidates in electrical/electronics and
communications engineering received starting offers averaging $49,794 a year;
master’s degree candidates averaged $64,556; and Ph.D. candidates averaged
$74,283.
Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience
and do not constitute an endorsement.
Information on careers and employment, education, publications, and
conferences related to electrical and electronics engineers is available from:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 445 Hoes Lane,
Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331. Internet: http://www.ieee.org
See the introduction to the section on engineers
for information on working conditions, training requirements, and other sources
of additional information.
Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05
Edition,
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
ocos031.htm
(visited May 19, 2004).
Use this Google search box to find topics on this
website:
The next Master Electrician Course in Port St. Lucie begins January 9th, 2010.
Details HERE.
