Electrical Engineering Degrees and Career Education

Electrical engineers, as their name implies, specialize in the design, construction, testing and maintenance of the electrical and electronic components integrated into mechanical systems. This equipment can include large scale systems such as power generators and energy transmission devices operated by utility companies; control systems for operating machinery; the electrical components of car, boat and airplane motors; or the design and installation of wiring and lighting for homes and buildings.

The difference between electrical and electronics engineers is subtle. Traditionally, electrical engineers have focused on power generation and electronics engineers on power distribution. Both disciplines perform tests and maintenance on the performance of their respective systems.

Education, Training and Degrees in Electrical Engineering

Virtually all entry-level positions in the engineering industry require at least a bachelor's degree, and an advanced degree is mandatory for many research and teaching positions. At this time, more than 360 colleges in the U.S. have accredited programs leading to a B.S. in an engineering discipline such as electrical engineering. In addition, approximately 230 colleges currently offer associate degrees in engineering technology, which is oriented more toward practical application than theory. As in any profession, the more advanced and specific the degree, the higher the potential salary and the greater the chances for success.

In addition to a degree, all states require that engineers be licensed. This licensing is accomplished by meeting specific requirements which usually include a significant term of on-the-job experience (often as long as four years) and passing a detailed exam administered by the relevant state department. Once these requirements are fulfilled, the engineer is formally recognized by the state as a licensed Professional Engineer.

Find out more information on Engineering degrees and certifications.

Explore Career Opportunities in Electrical Engineering

According to Department of Labor Statistics, more than 1.4 million people were employed in all engineering fields in 2004, of which about 156,000, or 10.8 percent, were electrical engineers.

Salaries and wages for electrical engineers can differ widely depending on such factors as location, the state of the economy, and the education level of the jobholder. As an occupation, however, engineers generally benefit from some of the highest starting salaries of any profession. An electrical engineer with a bachelor's degree can potentially command a starting salary of over $50,000. An engineer in any category with a PhD and several years' experience has the potential to earn a salary of over $100,000 a year.

The average salary for an electrical engineer in 2004 was $71,610, with a range running from a low of under $47,310 to a higher of more than $108,070.

The Department of Labor predicts that, overall, engineering jobs will grow at a rate comparable with all other industries over the next decade, but that job prospects will be especially good for a few specialties, including electrical and electronics engineering.

Below are a few of the most popular specializations in the field of electrical engineering.

Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace engineers design aircraft and satellites, including flight controls, radar, guidance, and displays, among many other tasks.

Control System Engineering
Control engineers design, test, construct and maintain operating systems for electronic or mechanical devices, including instrumentation and automation controls.

Telecommunications Engineering
The fast-growing field of telecommunications engineering involves the design, test, application and maintenance of local and wide area networks, telephone, radio, UHF and VHF land mobile radio, microwave, fiber optic and wireless broadband networks for voice and data transmission.

Circuit Design
This sub-discipline of electronics engineering involves the planning, design and drafting of electronic microcircuits for use in microprocessors.

Electro-Mechanical Engineering
This discipline is the interface between mechanical and electrical engineering, and includes the design of analog and digital circuits for equipment and machinery that includes both, such as lawn and garden equipment, appliances and power tools.

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