What Does an Electrical Engineer do?

Problem solvers and solution providers, electrical engineers apply the knowledge of mathematics, computing, and physics to both small and large-scale systems. With the aim of creating, designing, and manufacturing electronic products, electrical engineers transform the world we live in. An electrical engineer can work in many areas that includes motor control and power generation, as well as transmission. To become an electrical engineer, it is important to have an interest and understanding of electronics, understanding of computer and design, and ability to solve complex problems. Professional degrees like bachelors or master’s in electrical engineering helps aspiring engineers in developing specific skills.

Education & Career Info

Education Required Bachelor’s Degree
Training Required None
Key Skills Advanced mathematical skills, understanding of electronics, knowledge of science and technology, basic circuit knowledge, computer design, and engineering
Job Growth in Georgia (2018-2028) 21%
Average Salary in Georgia (2021) $112,570 per year

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online

Steps to Become an Electrical Engineer in Georgia

Electrical engineering is the backbone of diverse products and services, spanned across different industries. A continually evolving and growing field, it offers many opportunities in engineering industries like aerospace, power generation, telecommunication, materials & metals, and oil & gas. To work in the field, specialized degree is required, along with some work experience.

  1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
  • Anyone planning to pursue a degree in electrical engineering in Georgia, must make sure that the university is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
  • Most of the four years bachelor’s degree programs offer advanced academic courses in digital systems design, electromagnetics, electrical circuit theory, and computer system.
  • During the degree, students adopt hands-on approach and use practical experience to understand complex concepts.
  • As part of the degree, students are required to make a prototype of any product for real companies.
  1. Take Fundamentals of Engineering Exam
  • Candidates interested in working in any utility field are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
  • The exam can be taken any time after obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college.
  1. Gain Work Experience
  • After passing FE exam, candidates can either enroll in an internship program at a reputed company in electrical engineering department or take entry-level job.
  • It is recommended to work under the supervision of licensed PE.
  1. Pass Professional Engineer Exam
  • Engineers-in-training (EITs) are eligible to apply for license once they have gained some work experience and cleared all competency exams.
  • To work as a licensed engineer, it is mandatory to pass Professional Engineer (PE) exam.

Electrical Engineer Salary and Career Outlook

There are different areas of electrical engineering that people can work in, like computer engineering, autonomous unmanned vehicles, digital signal processing (DSP), and embedded systems. O*Net Online forecasts a 12% increase in employment opportunities for Electrical Engineers in Georgia between 2018 and 2028. The corresponding national average for this occupation is 7% between 2018 and 2030. Below are the states with the highest employment level in 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

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, the median annual wage for electrical engineers in Georgia was $112,570 in 2021. The corresponding national average annual wage was $ 107,890 for engineers. 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

Top Paying Electrical Engineering Companies in Georgia

Engineers with a professional degree in electrical engineering along with work experience have the opportunity to work in some of the best companies in the state. Here is a list of top paying companies in Georgia for electrical engineers.

  • McDermott – ($237,858 per year)
  • Sandia National Laboratories – ($164,807 per year)
  • Dell Technologies – (145, 748 per year)
  • Intuitive (Intuitive Surgical) – ($143,125 per year)
  • Lockheed Martin – ($136, 650 per year)

Top Jobs for Electrical Engineers in Georgia

According to O*Net Online, the projected employment (2028) in Georgia is 4,720 employees. There are approximately 530 electrical engineering job openings in Georgia between 2018 and 2028. Some of the best jobs for electrical engineers are:

  • Principal Electrical Engineer
  • Electrical Distribution Designer
  • Aerospace Electrical Engineer
  • Naval Engineer
  • Embedded Systems Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer
  • Semiconductor Engineer

Some of the highest paying cities for Electrical Engineers in Georgia are Savannah, Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Peachtree City, and Griffin.

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