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Electronics Engineers, Except Computer

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $130,220 Median per year · $62.60/hr Most earn $81,840–$206,960

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Investigate green consumer electronics applications for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers.
  • Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
  • Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.
  • Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
  • Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
  • Prepare, review, or maintain maintenance schedules, design documentation, or operational reports or charts.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 4,900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Federal government, excluding postal service14.6%
  • Telecommunications14.4%
  • Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing13.8%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences9.5%
  • Engineering services7.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Electronics engineering is a professional job that usually requires a bachelor's degree, and most people gain a few years of related experience before landing the title. Expect roughly 4 to 6 years of education and early work before you reach this role.

  1. Bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering

    4 years

    You learn circuit theory, electronics, signals, and materials, and you can add internships that show employers you can apply what you learned.

  2. Electrical Engineer

    2-4 years

    You work on designing and testing electrical systems under a senior engineer, building hands-on skills with real projects and tools.

  3. Electronics Engineer

    1 year or more in the role

    You design, develop, and test electronic components and systems for products in areas like telecommunications, aerospace, or instruments and controls.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Electronics Engineer

    4-6 years of experience first

    You lead design projects, make key technical decisions, and mentor newer engineers. Strong results and leadership skills are what move you up.

  2. Microsystems Engineer

    4-6 years of experience first

    You focus on very small electronic systems and chips, which usually calls for a master's degree and deeper specialized knowledge.

  3. Engineering Manager

    6 or more years of experience first

    You guide a team of engineers, set project goals, and manage budgets and schedules, so you spend less time on hands-on design and more on people and planning.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take physics, chemistry, and the highest math class you canStrong math and physics skills are needed for nearly every electronics engineering course in college.
  • Join a robotics club or science fair teamBuilding and testing real devices with a team shows you what electronics design feels like and gives you project work for later applications.
  • Take an electronics, computer science, or engineering class if your school offers oneEarly exposure helps you find out whether circuits and hardware are something you enjoy.
  • Learn basic programmingMany electronics projects use code to control hardware, so basic programming skills will help you a lot.
  • Get a part-time or summer job or volunteer roleWork at a repair shop, electronics store, or tech-focused volunteer program builds practical skills and gives you a reference for future jobs.

In college

  • Major in electrical or electronics engineeringThis degree covers circuits, electronics, and signal processing, which are the core skills this career requires.
  • Pursue internships or co-op placementsHands-on work at a company gives you experience that employers look for in new graduates and can lead to a job offer.
  • Join an engineering student society or design teamWorking on a team project, such as a satellite, robot, or car electronics build, helps you learn teamwork and real design practice.
  • Work as a lab or research assistantHelping professors test circuits or equipment builds your lab skills and can lead to a research reference or a publication.
  • Prepare for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examPassing this exam is the first step toward a Professional Engineer license, which many engineering employers value.

Tips for getting started

  • Take physics and calculus as early as you can, since they are the foundation of every engineering course you will take later.
  • Build small projects at home, such as simple circuits or a microcontroller project, and keep a record of what you made. Employers often ask to see this kind of work.
  • Look for internships, co-op programs, or research assistant jobs during college, because real work experience is what gets many people hired into their first engineering role.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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