What Can You Do With an Electrical Engineering Degree?
Wasim Asghar 
May 18, 2023If you are interested in pursuing engineering as a degree and ultimately as a profession, you would have wondered about the possibility of having an Electrical Engineering degree. There are a variety of degrees in this field, and each focuses on different aspects and leads to career prospects in diverse industries.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the multiple types of engineering degrees, what can you do with an electrical engineering degree, and the available jobs for electrical engineers.
Types of Electric Engineering Degrees
Following are the types of electric engineering degrees:
- Systems Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Power Engineering
- Signal Processing Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Instrumentation Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Photovoltaic Engineering
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Radio-Frequency Engineering
1. Systems Engineering
Systems Engineering combines the theory of engineering and engineering management. It covers all aspects of an engineered system from start to finish. It is concerned with the design, integration, and management of that system, and also deals with resolving any problems that might or do occur throughout the life cycle of the system.
2. Computer Engineering
In simple words, Computer Engineering is the type of electrical engineering that combines electronic engineering and computer science in order to design, construct, implement, and maintain computer software and hardware.
3. Power Engineering
As the name suggests, Power Engineering is concerned with the production, transmission, distribution, and use of electric power. With the modern world highly dependent on electricity, the need for Power Engineers is at a record high.
4. Signal Processing Engineering
Signal Processing Engineering is the study of manipulating, analyzing, and interpreting signals. It is a branch of electrical engineering that deals with the processing of signals in electronic systems.
Signal processing engineering is a relatively new field that has arisen out of the need to process ever-growing amounts of data. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematics.
5. Telecommunications Engineering
Telecommunications engineering, also known as telecom engineering, is a field of engineering that deals with the design and implementation of telecommunication systems. This can include anything from telephone lines and cellular networks to computer networks and the Internet.
A telecom engineer typically has a background in electrical engineering or computer science and is skilled in designing and managing complex telecom systems. Telecom engineering is a rapidly changing field, as new technologies and services are constantly being developed.
6. Instrumentation Engineering
Instrumentation Engineering is the type of Electrical Engineering that deals with designing, creating, and maintaining several instruments and processes used in industries to guarantee optimum productivity while meeting the quality and safety standards.
7. Electronics Engineering
This sub-discipline of Electrical Engineering actively deals with conductor and semiconductor devices to pass electric current in the creation of electronics. So, electronic engineers are trained in all things electronic like their components, circuits, and applications.
8. Photovoltaic Engineering
Solar photovoltaic engineering is the process of designing and creating solar cells and solar panel systems that can convert sunlight into electricity. This process can involve everything from choosing the right materials and designing the cells to building and testing the finished product. Solar photovoltaic engineering is a relatively new field, and there are still many challenges that need to be addressed.
9. Photonics and Optical Engineering
This sub-discipline of Electrical Engineering merges physics, engineering, and optics. Photonics and Optical Engineering train individuals in the study of all things optics. So, anything from lasers, holography, optical design, optical fibers, optical data processing, optical data communication, and optical data storage comes under this type of engineering.
10. Radio-Frequency Engineering
RF engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the design and development of radiofrequency (RF) devices and systems. RF engineers are responsible for the operation and maintenance of RF equipment, as well as the design and implementation of RF-based solutions.
Jobs You Can Get With an Electrical Engineering Degree
With a degree in electrical engineering, the types of electrical engineering jobs you can explore are endless. The salary depends on the type and level of Electrical Engineering degree you have acquired, its scope and demand in the state you are in, your work experience, and your skillsets.
Following is a list we have created of the jobs for Electrical Engineers and their average annual salaries.
| Position | Job Description | Annual Salary ($/Year) |
| Electrical Engineers | They are responsible for designing and developing small and large-scale electrical systems. They are required to improve electrical systems, devices, and their components. | 95,000 |
| Electronics Communications Engineers | They are required to develop engineered systems that allow communication. Radio, traditional broadcasting systems, and modern satellite and wireless systems all come under their domain. | 100,000 |
| Systems Engineers | They are expected to develop and maintain electrical systems for small and large-scale engineering projects. They assess troubleshoots and provide solutions if any problem occurs in the system throughout its lifecycle. | 100,000 |
| Electronics Engineers | Responsible for designing, setting, and improving conductor and sub-conductor components of the electronic device. They are also expected to come up with more energy-efficient components for electronic devices. | 81,000 |
| Automotive Engineers | Deal in developing different companies of the car and researching new technologies to evolve the automotive industry. | 75,000 |
| Photovoltaic Engineers | They deal with developing efficient technology associated with converting solar energy into electrical energy. Also responsible for designing and developing efficient solar panels. | 90,000 |
| Oil and Gas Engineers | Responsible for designing, testing, and maintaining equipment used in oil and gas extraction. | 65,000 |
With the constant growth in technology, there is always a demand for people with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Currently, there are approximately 190,000 Electrical Engineers in the United States. The job market, although not the best at the moment, is expected to grow by 8% in the next five years. With this being said, you can be one of those who achieve successful Electrical Engineer careers if you are passionate and innovative. We suggest checking out our tips to stand out as an Electrical Engineer in the current job market.
5 Highest Employment States of Electrical Engineers in the U.S
Let’s have a quick look at the top 5 states which offer the greatest number of jobs in electrical engineering:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Washington
1. California
California, offering over 5,500 Electrical Engineer jobs, stands first on the list. It offers distinct types of Electrical Engineer jobs with an average annual salary of $99,000.
2. Texas
Offers over 2000 jobs with an average electrical engineer salary of $84,000 per year.
3. New York
Of course, New York is on the list. New York offers around 1200 jobs to Electrical Engineers with an average annual salary of $80,000.
4. Massachusetts
At number 4, we have Massachusetts. It offers over a thousand electrical engineering jobs with an average electrical engineer salary of $94,000 per year.
5. Washington
Washington offers the fifth-highest number of employment opportunities to people with degrees in Electrical Engineering. Currently, it has employed around 1000 electrical engineers with an average annual salary of over $100,000.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1 - Which degree is best for electrical engineering?
The Electronics Engineering degree is best for electrical engineering.
2 - What kind of jobs can electrical engineers get?
You can get Electrical Engineer jobs in industries such as:
- Oil and gas industry
- Aerospace industry
- Construction industry
- Automotive industry
- Electronics industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Power generation industry
3 - What’s the highest-paid job in Electrical Engineering?
Computer Engineering is the highest paid job in the United States, with an average annual salary of $140,000.
Conclusion
When thinking of pursuing a professional degree and building a career, you are bound to look into various fields. One of the fields that often pique individuals’ attention is Electrical Engineering but they often complain that they are unaware of the true potential and prospects of this type of engineering. Therefore, in this blog, we tried to answer some of the pressing questions you might have had.
We discussed the most common types of Electrical Engineering, the types of Electrical Engineering jobs available in the job market, the highest-paying jobs as well as the states offering the highest number of Electrical Engineer careers. Hopefully, you would have gotten a better sense of what you can do with an Electrical Engineering degree by now.
Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.