Career roadmap

How to become an Electrical Engineer

$106,950 median/yr·Suits people who are strongly realistic

Median annual wage for Electrical Engineers (17-2071) — BLS OEWS, May 2023.

What you would actually do

The tasks that make up the work of an Electrical Engineer, weighted by how central each one is to the job.

Design structures or facilities.
Maintain electronic equipment.
Direct industrial production activities.
Direct construction activities.
Direct installation activities.
Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
Operate computer systems.
Design electrical equipment or systems.

The skills that actually carry the job

Scored on how much the work depends on each one — not a wishlist, a measurement.

Writing4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5
Active Listening3.9/5
Speaking3.9/5
Active Learning3.9/5
Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
Monitoring3.5/5
Mathematics3.4/5
Coordination3.3/5

Would this suit you?

Every occupation leans on a particular mix of interests. Here is the mix measured for an Electrical Engineer — and our free 3-minute Career Match scores you on the same six.

Realistic6.3/7
Hands-on, practical, working with tools, machines or the body
Investigative5.3/7
Investigating, diagnosing, reasoning through problems with evidence
Conventional5.0/7
Ordering, checking, following a precise procedure accurately
Enterprising2.3/7
Persuading, leading, selling, taking commercial risk
Artistic2.0/7
Creating, expressing, working without a fixed procedure
Social1.6/7
Helping, teaching, caring for and working directly with people

See how you score — 3 min, free

Interest profiles from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0.