Electrical Engineer
Designs electrical systems and equipment — from household devices to power grids.
Market pay — 87,590–175,460 USD/yr.
People who like physics, exact calculations, and understanding how current flows.
A day in the life
Calculates circuits, prepares drawings, tests devices, and finds and fixes faults.
Who it fits
People who like physics, exact calculations, and understanding how current flows.
Try it in a week
- Watch 2–3 “a day in the life of a Electrical Engineer” videos to see the real day-to-day, not the job-post version. ↗
- Take a free intro course to find out whether the topic clicks before you spend money or time on it. ↗
- Find someone doing it on LinkedIn or an industry group and ask 5 pointed questions: the daily grind, the money, and how they got in.
- Assemble a small kit or model from a beginner guide (Arduino, mechanics, circuits) — from idea to a working device. ↗
How to get there
- Aug Build your college list and start your essays (summer before senior year)
- Oct FAFSA opens (typically Oct 1) - apply for federal financial aid
- Nov Early Action / Early Decision deadlines (many schools)
- Jan Regular Decision deadlines (often Jan 1-15)
- Mar Admission decisions arrive (mid-March to early April)
- May National College Decision Day - commit and pay your deposit
Approximate pathways. Requirements and test policies vary by state and school - always verify on the college's or program's official site.
Frequently asked
How much does a Electrical Engineer earn?
87,590–175,460 USD/yr — BLS. This is the middle band of the market: a beginner usually sits closer to the lower end, an experienced specialist closer to the top. A lot also depends on where you are. ~189k jobs in the US (BLS OEWS, May 2024)
How do you become a Electrical Engineer?
Most often through these fields: Electrical Engineering. See specific programs and requirements in the “How to get there” section below.
Who is this profession a good fit for?
People who like physics, exact calculations, and understanding how current flows.