Electrical engineers design, develop, and test electrical equipment and systems that power everything from consumer devices to industrial infrastructure. You'll need a bachelor's degree and strong problem-solving skills. The work is technical, in demand, and offers solid earning potential.
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Electrical engineers work with computers to design and specify technical devices, parts, and equipment. You'll make decisions about how systems should function, schedule work and activities across projects, and document your findings carefully. The role requires you to stay current with engineering and technology advances, apply mathematics and physics principles, and communicate your designs clearly through writing and technical drafting. You'll monitor systems and solutions to ensure they meet requirements and perform as intended.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Electrical Engineers earn a median of $120,630 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 11,700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. This typically takes four years and covers engineering fundamentals, electronics, design, mathematics, and physics. The coursework is demanding and requires considerable preparation and active learning. Many programs include hands-on lab work and design projects. After earning your degree, you may pursue additional credentials or licensure depending on your specialization and whether you plan to offer services directly to the public.
Most electrical engineers earn a bachelor's degree, though some explore related technical paths first. If you're weighing your options for timing and cost, Pathly can map the electrical engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to build a plan that fits your situation.
Many electrical engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to hands-on problem-solving and working with technical systems. You enjoy reading deeply, thinking critically, and learning continuously. You communicate clearly and listen actively to understand what others need.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).