Electrical and Electronics Engineers
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From geographical information systems 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 power generating, controlling, and transmission devices used by electric utilities; and electric motors, machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings, automobiles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems, and broadcast and communications systems. 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, an occupation 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 subdivision 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.

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Electrical and electronics engineers held about 288,000 jobs in 2000, making their occupation the largest branch of engineering. Most jobs were in engineering and business consulting firms, government agencies, and manufacturers of electrical and electronic and computer and office equipment, industrial machinery, and professional and scientific instruments. Transportation, communications, and utilities firms as well as personnel supply services and computer and data processing services firms accounted for most of the remaining jobs.

California, Texas, New York, and New Jersey-States with many large electronics firms-employ nearly one-third of all electrical and electronics engineers.

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Electrical and electronics engineering graduates should have favorable job 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 about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010.

Projected job growth stems largely from increased demand for electrical and electronic goods, including advanced communications equipment, defense-related electronic equipment, and consumer electronics products. The need for electronics manufacturers to invest heavily in research and development to remain competitive and gain a scientific edge will provide openings for graduates who have learned the latest technologies. Opportunities for electronics engineers in defense-related firms should improve as aircraft and weapons systems are upgraded with improved navigation, control, guidance, and targeting systems. However, 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.

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Median annual earnings of electrical engineers were $64,910 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,700 and $80,600. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,490. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of electrical engineers in 2000 were:

Computer and office equipment $69,700
Measuring and controlling devices 67,570
Search and navigation equipment 67,330
Electronic components and accessories 65,830
Engineering and architectural services 65,040

Median annual earnings of electronics engineers, except computer, were $64,830 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $52,430 and $79,960. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,070, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,330. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of electronics engineers in 2000 were:

Federal Government $70,890
Search and navigation equipment 68,930
Electronic components and accessories 63,890
Electrical goods 62,860
Telephone communication 57,710

According to a 2001 salary survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, bachelor's degree candidates in electrical and electronics engineering received starting offers averaging $51,910 a year; master's degree candidates averaged $63,812; and Ph.D. candidates averaged $79,241.

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Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Information on electrical and electronics engineers is available from:
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscatway, NJ 08855-1331. Internet: http://www.ieee.org

    (See introduction to the section on engineers for information on working conditions, training requirements, and other sources of additional information.)

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    17-2071.00, 17-2072.00

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