Electrical engineers work primarily in manufacturing and construction, building systems that generate or use electricity.
They work with high-voltage systems, motors and generators, electrical power distribution grids, computers, phones, lasers and fiber optics.
Electrical engineers may be hired by companies that design or sell electronic equipment or by companies that use the equipment in their own business activities. Some electrical engineers are self-employed as consultants.
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Where electrical engineers usually work?
Electrical engineers usually work with engineers from other disciplines and with scientists.
Their main responsibility is to design, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment such as power supplies and electric motors. Electrical engineers also design control systems or components that are used in manufacturing processes such as robots used in automated assembly lines.
In addition to working closely with other engineers they must also work closely with computer programmers who help them develop software programs for controlling various devices.
They may also collaborate with mechanical engineers on projects where both specialties are required such as designing engines or other machines that require both electrical circuits and mechanical parts for proper functioning.
Specializations of Electrical Engineers
Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and creating electrical devices and systems. They work with a wide range of technologies, including power generation, transmission, distribution and utilization.
The specializations of electrical engineers are determined by the type of work they do. The most common specializations include:
- Computer systems engineering: This specialization focuses on computers and software systems. Electrical engineers who specialize in this area often design computer hardware or software programs that can be used for specific tasks.
- Power engineering: This specialization focuses on power generation, transmission and distribution systems. Electrical engineers who specialize in this area may work on projects related to nuclear power plants or renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines.
- Electronics: This specialization focuses on electronic devices such as semiconductors or integrated circuits (ICs). Electrical engineers who specialize in this area may develop new electronic devices that can be used in computers, TVs and other consumer electronics products today.
Average Annual Salary of an Electrical Engineer in the United States.
The median annual wage for electrical engineers was $107,890 in May 2021. The highest 10 percent earned more than $150,910, and the lowest 10 percent earned less than $53,030.
The median annual wages for electrical engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing ($123,760)
- Integrated circuit (IC) industry ($122,930)
- Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing ($117,750)
For more info visit Electrical Engineers (bls.gov)
What is an Electrical Engineering Degree?
An electrical engineering degree provides students with foundational knowledge about electronics and computer systems as well as how these technologies work together to power modern society.
Students learn about how circuits are used for communication and control purposes; how electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy; how electricity moves through wires; how signals can be transmitted via wire or wireless means; how computers operate; how computer software can be used for communication purposes (such as sending emails); etc.).
What Are Some Top Schools for Electrical Engineering Degrees in the U.S?
The best schools for Electrical Engineering degrees in the U.S. are typically those that offer a broad selection of courses, an active research program, and an established reputation for excellence in their field.
Here are some of the top schools for electrical engineering degrees in the United States:
- Stanford University
- Rice University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of California – Berkeley (UCB)
- Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta (GT)
Are electrical engineers in demand?
Yes, they are. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be a 14% increase in job growth for electrical engineers between 2016 and 2026. This is much faster than the average for all occupations, which is 7%.
Are electrical engineers the smartest?
Let’s be honest: the way that many people talk about electrical engineers, you’d think they were the smartest people on earth.
But if you’ve ever worked with one, or been one yourself, then you know that this is far from true. Electrical engineers are smart—probably smarter than most of us—but they’re not the smartest people on earth.
To be an electrical engineer (EE) means having a good grasp of physics and math, along with some knowledge of engineering theory and how things work in general.
It also means being able to work well with others; successful EE careers require teamwork more often than not.
On top of all this, being an EE requires understanding computers and software as well as hardware—and sometimes even writing code!
Can electrical engineers make robots?
The answer is yes! Electrical engineers are some of the best people to design, program and build a robot. As an electrical engineer, you can make robots that do things like:
- Make people move around. You can design a robot that uses motors to make humans walk or run.
- Listen to music and sing songs. You can design a robot with sensors that detect sound waves and use them to control speakers which play music or make sounds like singing voices.
- Play games with humans using sensors that detect objects near it so it knows what game piece is touching it at any given moment (like checkers or chess pieces).
Can electrical engineers work on cars?
You can work on cars, aircraft, power generation, communications, radar and navigation systems and computers. In fact, many electrical engineers have jobs where they don’t even touch the product that they are designing.
In addition to general electrical engineering skills (such as using computer-aided design software or circuit simulation packages) you’ll need specialized knowledge of the specific industry you’re working in. This includes knowing how environmental factors such as:
- temperature or vibration can affect your designs;
- how to manage safety issues like electromagnetic interference with other devices;
- how to deal with military requirements such as defense against nuclear weapons or surveillance by enemy planes (that’s right – electronics is a part of war).
Do Electrical engineers make good money?
According to the BLS, the average annual salary for an electrical engineer in 2021 was $107,890. Electrical engineers are well paid, and the job market for this position is strong. If you’re interested in becoming an electrical engineer, you may want to consider the following information:
How hard is electrical engineering?
It’s important to remember that electrical engineering is a difficult major. Electrical engineers have to study calculus and physics, which can be challenging for some students. If you’re considering becoming an electrical engineer, it’s best if you are comfortable with math and science before starting your education in the field.
The good news is that there are many resources available to help students who want to become electricians but may not feel confident about their ability in math and science subjects. For example, Khan Academy offers free online tutorials on subjects like calculus, physics and more; these tutorials can help students understand how these subjects apply specifically in the electrician industry (and also provide them with a better understanding of how they apply across all professions).
Is an electrical engineer a good job?
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as an electrical engineer, it’s important to know that there are many different types of engineers and it’s also important to know what kind of work they do.
Electrical engineers work in all areas involving electricity and electronics. They design things like robots and computers, they build cars (or at least help build them), and they can even create weapons systems for the military!
Electrical engineers make excellent salaries too—as much as $100k+ annually depending on where you live or what company you work for—and their jobs are always in high demand so there’s no worry about not being able to find one if that’s what you want out of life.
How many years does it take to become an electrical engineer?
Most electrical engineers will spend a total of about six years to get their degree. The first two years are spent in college, where you’ll study the fundamentals and begin developing your skills.
You’ll then move on to technical school where you’ll learn how to apply those principles in real-world situations.
After that, it’s time for one year of on-the-job training as an apprentice or intern while working under an experienced engineer. Finally, you’ll have one more year of unpaid training before becoming qualified for employment as an electrical engineer.
Electrical engineers have a lot of career options and decent salaries.
Electrical engineering is a very versatile field and electrical engineers can find employment in many different industries. Besides they can work for aerospace companies, automotive companies, energy companies and even hospitals.
Electrical engineers are also in high demand right now because the US is currently experiencing an increase in power demands that electrical engineers are needed to support.
In addition to this demand for their services, electrical engineers have good job security as well.
Conclusion
The job outlook for electrical engineers is good. The median annual wage for electrical engineers was $107,890 in May 2021. Employment of electrical engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Electrical engineering is one of the highest paying careers that require a bachelor’s degree and has a high job satisfaction rating too!
