Electrical engineers are likely to remain in high demand in the future. Electrical engineers are responsible for creating designs and developing electrical equipment. They also test and supervise the functioning of these systems and make recommendations on how to improve them.
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Electrical Engineering Jobs In USA
With an electrical engineering degree, you can get a variety of jobs. These include:
- Acoustic consultant
- CAD technician
- Design engineer
- Network engineer
- Systems analyst
- Control and instrumentation engineer
- Aerospace engineer
- Broadcast engineer
- Nuclear engineer
Typical employers of electrical engineers include organizations that conduct research and development, automotive companies, telecom companies, power companies, transport companies and construction industries.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
Note: For those looking for information on how to become an electrician, it must be noted that electrical engineers are not electricians. While an electrician is responsible for looking after wired connections and installations and repairs, electrical engineers handle the design, creation and updating of electrical systems and equipment.
To become an electrical engineer, you will have to follow these steps:
- Get a bachelor’s degree
You need to get this degree in electrical engineering or a related field. You can also go for a degree in systems and control engineering.
- Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam
After you have cleared this exam, you will be called engineer-in-training (EIT).
- Get experience
Before you proceed, you will have to get at least four years of relevant work experience. You could get this in various local or federal industries offering employment opportunities for electrical engineers.
- Pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam
Clearing this exam with give you the PE credentials and is likely to open up a vast number of employment opportunities for you.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Electrical Engineer?
The minimum education requirement to become an electrical engineer is a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years to complete. The Fundamentals of Engineering and Professional Engineer exams may take up to a few months of preparation, depending on your studying ability. You will also need 4 years of experience before you can get the Professional Engineer (PE) credential. So, all in all, you are looking at a time investment of at least 8 years, if you want to become a professional engineer.
Electrical Engineer Salary and Career Outlook
Electrical engineering is a promising career option for young people in the USA. The profession comes with lucrative starting salaries and on-going demand for professionals. In its 2021 report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded the mean annual wage for electrical engineers in the USA to be $ 107,890. Below are the top paying states for electrical engineers.
| State | Annual Mean Wage |
| California | $126,640 |
| District of Columbia | $123,280 |
| Washington | $118,890 |
| Massachusetts | $118,100 |
| Maryland | $117,950 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021)
BLS projected a 7% increase in employment opportunities for Electrical Engineers in the country between 2020 and 2030. For the same years, 12,700 job openings have been estimated. Below are the states with the highest employment level for Electrical Engineers.
| State | Employment |
| California | 28,070 |
| Texas | 15,230 |
| Michigan | 10,050 |
| New York | 8,960 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,250 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online
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