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Electrical Engineering Jobs

Development Sector

The role of an electrical engineer is to design new electronics.

The various duties and responsibilities an electrical engineer may have are as varied as the types of electronic equipment used around the world every day. Generally speaking, an electrical engineer proposes a particular way in which a set of electrical equipment will function, and determines what it will accomplish. This concept is then put onto paper or, more likely, drawn on a computer using a program such as AutoCad. A large element of an electrical engineer's work consists of trial and error, as the electrical engineer must test each design he creates and tweak the original design to deal with any problems that arise in test runs. As an electrical engineer, you may find yourself working in any of the green technology and energy production centers, including solar, wind, bioengineering or nuclear energy.

Educational and Training Requirements

In order to become an electrical engineer, it is imperative that you have a bachelor's of science in electrical engineering. As you may have expected, these courses are very much geared toward math and sciences, but you must also hone your computer literacy and good communications skills are always desired for any electrical engineering job. In the US, in order to become a professional engineer, you must have completed the Fundamentals in Engineering Exam. Before you become a professional engineer, you must also have experience in the field - simply passing the exam will not suffice.

Some prospective engineers go on to do postgraduate work and complete their master's in engineering, science or engineering management, while still others go on to receive a PhD. Whether you go for a bachelor's or a doctorate degree, you will most likely have to complete a degree accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, successfully complete a state examination, and have at least four years of relevant work experience.

Salary and Advancement Opportunities

Payscale.com reports the average salary of an electrical engineer with one to four years of experience to range $53,699 to $67,202, while an electrical engineer with 10 to 19 years of experience can expect to earn $67,860 to $97,974. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average range of salary for an electrical engineer is $60,640 to $94,050. As with most jobs, the more experience and education an individual has, the higher the salary. The highest-paid ten percent of electrical engineers make an estimated average salary of at least $115,240. It is reported that those with a bachelor's start at an average salary of $55,292, while those entering the job market with a average earn a median salary of $66,309, and those with a PhD make a average salary of $75,982. In terms of advancement, those with more experience and education may aspire to be a senior electrical engineer, whose salaries tend to be higher.