Best Paying Jobs in Electrical Products and Engineering

Do you enjoy tinkering with electrical circuits and equipment? Want to earn top dollar while doing it? Electrical engineering jobs offer six-figure pay with the right schooling and training. Not only do you get to play around with and develop electronic equipment, but also earn good wages while doing it. Since there are many high-paid engineering jobs, choosing the right one takes research. Read on to learn more about the highest paying electrical engineering jobs for college graduates.

Best Paying Electrical Engineering Jobs

• Principal Electrical Engineer
• Electrical Distribution Designer
• Aerospace Electrical Engineer
• Electrical Project Engineer
• Electrical Control Engineer

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Principal Electrical Engineer

Principal electrical engineers know electrical aspects of design and construction inside and out. They oversee design for electrical components and manage sites or projects. They also interface with other engineers to ensure they follow best engineering practices. In this job, you conduct electrical engineering research. You inspect electrical systems and address maintenance issues. You carry out these tasks at construction sites. On site, you inspect projects and give instruction.

National average pay (engineer salary): $128,793

High earnings make the principal or senior electrical engineer one of the best paying jobs in electrical products. Salaries range from $103,00 to $163,000/year. But what causes the difference in the average salary?

• Location
• Experience

Some areas pay higher wages, while others offer lower wages. For example, principal electrical and electronics engineers with an electrical engineering degree living in San Jose, California earn 18.5% more than the national average salary. Experience also affects wages. With more training and experience, you can earn more money. In fact, the highest paid electrical engineer is one with ten years of experience.

Electrical Distribution Designer

Electrical distribution designers prepare electrical systems within a facility. They check a space or building and determine which circuitry systems will fit. They prepare drawings of circuit layouts to ensure the proper distribution of power. They also determine the right voltage. These specialized engineers use their knowledge of electrical engineering to determine safe and efficient designs. Electrical distribution designers work in offices alongside other engineers. They spend most of their time in an office, but travel to installation sites when needed.

National average pay (engineer salary): $75,123

While the average salary for this job is less than six figures, you can earn higher wages if you live in certain areas. In fact, the best electrical engineering jobs report salaries of $150,000 or more in cities like:

• Lakes, Alaska
• San Francisco, California
• Santa Clara, California
• Washington, DC
• Los Angeles, California

With at least five years of experience, this job pays six figures in the above cities.  

Aerospace Electrical Engineer

Aerospace electrical engineers use their electrical engineering training to create designs for airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. They work with clients to meet their design needs for projects. They research and develop designs using various CAD software. They run extensive tests and make adjustments based on their findings. While most of their tests are theoretical, they do take part in flight-test programs. They also change electrical designs to improve safety and performance based on the outcomes of their tests. You need a bachelor’s degree in engineering to work as an aerospace electrical engineer. But to land the best electrical job in aeronautics, you need a master’s degree. While the typical bachelor’s degree program takes four years to complete, “three-two” programs are available. These programs let you to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years.

Go to work as an aerospace engineer

With a master’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related engineering discipline, you can work as:

• an aerospace electrical engineer
• a university professor

Licensed engineers, often called PEs or professional engineers, are sought after by employers. But you must have a license to work in this role. To qualify for licensing, an electrical engineer must:

• have a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
• earn a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
• have at least four years of relevant work experience
• earn a passing score on the PE exam

National average pay (engineer salary): $118,610

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average salary for electrical aerospace engineers as $118,000/year. However, the highest earners make over $171,000/year. As a result of the average salary, aerospace electrical engineers are one of the best electrical engineering jobs. But there are also certain industries that offer the best paying jobs in electronic components.

• Control instruments, electromedical, measuring, and navigational manufacturing
• Federal government
• Research and development in life, engineering, and physical sciences

In the control systems industry, electrical aerospace engineers earn an average salary of $125,710/year.

Electrical Project Engineer

Electrical project engineers use their electrical engineering knowledge to develop and execute projects commissioned by electrical distribution and transmission companies. They design project phases and elements, while also assigning staff to those different phases. They also perform tests to confirm performance of a project. These tests help determine the project’s schedule and costs. Project managers have more responsibilities than project engineers. But one of the best paid electrical engineering jobs is electrical project manager engineer. As a manager, you supervise planning of electrical projects. You also write proposals, hire contractors, and oversee productivity. Overall, you make sure a project stays within budget and gets finished on time.

National average pay (engineer salary): $88,994

While the average salary for electrical project engineers is $88,994, the highest 10% of earners make over $120,000/year–a strong engineer salary for college grads. And the top 25% earn about $104,500/year. But the average salary (engineer salary) varies by location. ZipRecruiter reports top cities where electrical project engineers earn top dollar.

• Lakes, Alaska
• San Francisco, California
• Santa Clara, California
• Washington, DC

Electrical Controls Engineer

Electrical controls engineers use their electrical engineering skills to ensure electrical systems operate in a facility. They run tests and develop plans to operate electrical systems. A control systems engineer also researches issues and finds solutions to electrical problems. They look for safer and more productive ways to operate electrical components. A systems engineer goes by different job titles like:

• electrical design engineer
• electronics engineers

National average pay (engineer salary): $83,160

Electrical controls engineers earn an average wage of $83,160/year. While wages vary, the top 10% of earners make $108,500/year. The top 25% of earners in this job make $91,500/year. Like most electrical engineering jobs, where you work impacts your earnings. In fact, certain locations pay higher wages than others. Cities with top paying electrical engineering jobs include:

• Sunnyvale, California
• Santa Cruz, California
• Santa Rosa, California
• Williston, North Dakota
• Manhattan, New York
• Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

Job Outlook for Electrical Engineers

Job growth for electrical engineers will increase by 7% through 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In fact, 22,500 job openings should result each year based on projections. Growth will result from the need to replace workers who retire. Two industries without strong growth for this job include:

• manufacturing
• utilities

But other industries like professional, scientific, and technical service firms show job growth. Growth will result from the rapid pace of technological innovation and the need to create new jobs. More companies will rely on the expertise of engineers for projects involving electronic devices and electrical systems. They will lean on electrical engineers for their knowledge. As a result, job growth will occur. Job growth will also occur in research and development, especially in:

• broadcast and communications systems technologies
• communications technologies
• component and device development
• semiconductors
• solar arrays

Where electrical engineers work

The largest industry for electrical engineers is engineering services. About 20% of all electrical engineers work in this area. Other industries for electrical engineers include:

• electric power generation equipment, transmission, and distribution (9%)
• electromedical, measuring, radar and navigation systems, and controls instruments manufacturing process (7%)
• research and development in the engineering, life, and physical sciences (5%)
• semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing, such as computer systems (4%)

Most electrical engineer work is full-time. They work in offices, but are sometimes called out to sites. They visit off-site locations when problems arise or they need to make observations.

$100k+ Electrical Engineering Jobs

According to Ladders.com, there are 15 companies regularly hiring electrical engineers that offer $100,000/year or more. To qualify for these jobs, you need an electrical engineering degree and training. Some companies hire recent electrical engineering graduates, while others want work experience. Since the field is broad, and requirements vary, there are different ways to qualify. For example, one company might hire you based on your master’s degree in electrical engineering, but another might ask for more training. A company might also see your master’s degree as two years of work experience. To set yourself apart from your competition, earn a degree from an ABET-accredited college. That way you qualify for work with some of the highest paying electrical engineering companies. Read on for the best paying jobs in power generation and electrical engineering.

Best Jobs for Electrical Engineers

Below you’ll find a list of companies hiring electrical engineers each year. These companies offer a good engineering salary, attractive incentives, and competitive benefits packages. 1. CGI Group 2. Dewberry 3. Docusign 4. IBM 5. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. 6. Johnson & Johnson 7. LGS Innovation 8. ManTech International 9. Micron Technology 10. Northrop Grumman 11. Nikola Motor Company 12. PG&E Corporation 13. Raytheon 14. Siemens 15. The Aerospace Corporation

Tips on How to Get Started in Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is a competitive field. There are more applicants than jobs, but most qualified candidates find top paying electrical engineering jobs after they graduate college. Here are a few tips to help you get started in the electrical engineering field and find the best paying jobs in electrical products.

Get a background in electrical engineering

First, you need to study the basics to get a background in electrical engineering. You learn electrical engineering concepts by taking engineering classes in electrical engineering majors. You read books, complete lessons, and study the electrical engineering field. Classes also introduce you to theories behind electrical engineering. But beyond classwork, you also complete lab work in electrical engineering concepts. Labs prepare you with hands-on techniques and skills you will use on the job. Labs also help you understand the concepts behind electrical engineering theories.

Hone your skills

Outside of class, you should spend time on independent projects. These projects will give you practice working with circuitry. They will also help you play around with blueprint design skills. You can work with computer programs used in electrical engineering services and improve your industry skills. To gain skills outside of school, look for engineering clubs you can join. Membership to an engineering club offers many benefits such as:

• internship advice
• job opportunities
• licensing coaching
• networking
• study partners

Popular engineering clubs include the American Association of Engineering Societies and the Society of Women Engineers.

Get a mentor

Talk to your professors and get to know them. Network with students who’ve been in the engineering program longer than you. These are just a few ways to find a mentor and learn more about the field of electrical engineering. Mentors can help you find:

• grants and scholarships
• internships
• job openings
• research opportunities

Mentors offer one-on-one career advice. For example, you can get answers to questions you have about a software engineer career path or how computer hardware engineers work on electrical engineers design projects. You get guidance from someone who has already been through it. You also gain exposure to other areas of engineering that you may know nothing about.

Be selective in your job search

Since the field of electrical engineering is diverse, pay attention to your interests. Pursue jobs that relate to your goals. Look for jobs that allow you to specialize in your chosen engineering field of study. For example, electrical engineers specialize in electronics and open doors to an electrical engineering career in this specialty. This gives you the best job prospects and opens doors to potential career growth.

Other engineering roles/fields offering a high average salary include:

• computer engineering
• computer hardware engineers
• computer systems engineers
• hardware engineering
• mechanical engineering

By BDP Staff

Related Resources:

• 20 Best Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering
• 30 Best Online Engineering Degrees
• Top 20 Degrees for the Future
• What is the Employment Outlook for Electrical Engineering?

This concludes our article on highest paid electrical engineer jobs.