Suppose you were the type of kid who loved to tear things apart to find out how they work or who stared with fascination at light bulbs and coffee machines to imagine how electricity makes things work and light up. In that case, you should consider a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
There is no better time to become an electrical engineer, considering that numerous industries need help to build new innovative technologies and make them function reliably.
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Let’s look at some of the most popular jobs for Electrical Engineering graduates and the average annual salaries in the US (based on data from PayScale):
1. Energy Engineer
- Average salary in the US: 71,200 USD/year
The main duties of energy engineers involve:
- Create, test, secure and implement elements of an electrical plant, such as switchgear, transformers, motors, cables, generators, etc.
- Monitor the overall energy consumption and find inconsistencies
- Visit project sites, evaluate energy usage data, conduct audits
- Collaborate with construction managers and other engineers and provide feedback related to power systems, electric grids, backup generators, etc.
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2. Electronics Engineer
- Average salary in the US: 80,450 USD/year
The main duties of electronics engineers include:
- Design, test, and improve components like capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc.
- Check if electronic equipment meets the official product specifications and safety regulations
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting during the product development or manufacturing process
- Research new ways to use energy and create smaller and more energy-efficient components
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3. Automotive Engineer
- Average salary in the US: 78,800 USD/year
The main duties of electrical engineers working in the automotive industry:
- Work on the development of components like power units, integrated navigation systems, lighting, air conditioning, sound
- Work on new technologies used to create autonomous vehicles or fully electric cars
- Evaluate the distribution of electric cables and power generators and decide if they meet safety regulations
Find Automotive Engineering degrees abroad.
Check out the stories of these students who enrolled in an Electrical Engineering degree abroad:
4. Aerospace Engineer
- Average salary in the US: 84,970 USD/year
Main duties of electrical engineers working in the aerospace industry:
- Work on guidance and communication systems, radars or satellites
- Contribute to the development of new hybrid or fully electric propulsion systems for aeroplanes or other aircraft
- Collaborate with other aerospace engineers and specialists to determine which materials should be used to ensure the safety of the passengers and the reliability of the entire electrical system
Discover Aerospace Engineering degrees and here’s what you can become after completing a degree in Aerospace Engineering.
5. Oil and Gas Engineer
- Average salary in the US: 66,360 USD/year
The main duties of electrical engineers working in the oil and gas industry:
- Design, test, and improve specialised equipment (generators, electric motors) used on oil platforms and drilling rigs
- Evaluate and decide if the equipment meets the safety and reliability standards
- Ensure the equipment can still function under challenging work conditions, such as extremely high or low temperatures
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The best Electrical Engineering universities in the world
According to the latest QS Ranking created by TopUniversities, the following are some of the best electrical engineering schools out there:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the US
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
- University of Cambridge, the UK
- ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Tsinghua University, China
- Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Netherlands
- Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), South Korea
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR
Not yet ready to study abroad? You can check out online Bachelors in Electrical Engineering.