Electrical Engineers

Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Tasks Include:

Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.
Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)

Projections Quick View:

Virginia: +4.2%

National: +9.1%

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job Zone:

Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Income Range:

Highest ($50,000 and up)

Median Earnings:

National

$106,950.00

State

$110,840.00

Regional

Electrical Engineers

Description

Career Cluster:

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Education

Required Level of Education

Bachelor's Degree = 81.62%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 11.04%
Master's Degree = 7.34%

Related Work Experience

Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 30.21%
Over 10 years = 18.84%
Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 17.05%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 13.12%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 12.33%
Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 8.45%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 29.89%
Up to and including 1 month = 21.21%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 21.06%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 13.40%
None = 9.03%
Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 2.34%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 1.96%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 1.11%

On-the-Job Training

Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 32.75%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 27.59%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 22.30%
Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 10.30%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 3.62%
Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years = 1.23%
None or short demonstration = 1.11%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 1.11%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
Plan or implement research methodology or procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
Prepare specifications for purchases of materials or equipment.
Supervise or train project team members, as necessary.
Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment or major repairs.
Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects.
Estimate labor, material, or construction costs for budget preparation purposes.
Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
Conduct field surveys or study maps, graphs, diagrams, or other data to identify and correct power system problems.
Design electrical systems or components that minimize electric energy requirements, such as lighting systems designed to account for natural lighting.
Develop systems that produce electricity with renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, or biofuels.
Integrate electrical systems with renewable energy systems to improve overall efficiency.
Develop software to control electrical systems.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Tools and Technology

Tools Include:

Accelerometers
Laboratory safety furnaces (Annealing furnaces)
Scanning probe microscopes (Atomic force microscopes)
Spectrometers (Auger electron spectrometers)
Computer servers
Corona treaters (Cylindrical corona testers)
Diffractometers
Laboratory safety furnaces (Diffusion furnaces)
Oscilloscopes (Digital oscilloscopes)
Digital camcorders or video cameras (Digital video cameras)
Voltage or current meters (Digital voltmeters DVM)
Tube furnaces (Doping tubes)
Flow sensors (Electrical flow meters)
Spectrometers (Electrochemical CV dopant profilers)
Laboratory evaporators (Electron beam evaporators)
Thickness measuring devices (Ellipsometers)
Laboratory evaporators (Filament evaporators)
Semiconductor process systems (Fog chambers)
Frequency counters or timer or dividers (Frequency counters)
Frequency calibrator or simulator (Frequency drives)
Isolation glove boxes (Glove box systems)
Spectrographs (Imaging spectrographs)
Electrical inductance sensors (Inductance capacitance resistance LCR meters)
Notebook computers (Laptop computers)
Laser printers
Laser measuring systems (Laser ranging systems)
Semiconductor process systems (Linearization testbeds)
Laboratory evaporators (Low pressure chemical vapor deposition LPCVD systems)
Laboratory evaporators (Metal evaporation systems)
Laboratory balances (Microbalances)
Microwave core equipment (Microwave automatic load-pull tuners)
Power meters (Microwave power meters)
Oscilloscopes (Mixed signal oscilloscopes)
Semiconductor process systems (Molecular beam epitaxy MBE systems)
Multimeters
Network analyzers
Electrical frequency meters (Noise figure meters)
Laboratory safety furnaces (Oxidation furnaces)
Tube furnaces (Oxidation tubes)
Electronic measuring probes (Parameter analyzers)
Transistor transistor logic TTL (Pattern generator systems)
Personal computers
Computed tomography CT or CAT radiotherapy simulators (Photolithography equipment)
Spectrometers (Photoluminescence spectrometers)
Semiconductor process systems (Plasma ashers)
Reactors (Plasma reactors)
Plotter printers (Plotters)
Surface testers (Profilometers)
Signal generators (Programmable function generators)
Level generators (Pulse generators)
Voltage or current meters (Pulsed current-voltage IV analyzer)
Pyrometers
Temperature cycling chambers or thermal cyclers (Rapid thermal annealers RTA)
Ion implantation equipment (Reactive ion etch systems)
Oscilloscopes (Sampling oscilloscopes)
Scanning electron microscopes (Scanning electron microscopes SEM)
Scanning probe microscopes (Scanning tunneling microscopes STM)
Spectrometers (Secondary ion mass spectrometers SIMS)
Frequency calibrator or simulator (Signal analyzers)
Signal generators
Spectrometers
Frequency analyzers (Spectrum analyzers)
Semiconductor process systems (Spin-coaters)
Magnetic spin bars or stir bars or stirring beads (Spinners)
Oscillographs (Sweep oscillators)
Signal generators (Synthesized continuous wave CW generators)
Thermocouples
Semiconductor process systems (Tube etchers)
Tube furnaces
Transistor circuit testers (Universal microwave transistor test fixtures)
Semiconductor process systems (Vacuum chambers)
Laboratory evaporators (Vacuum system/thermal evaporators)
Signal generators (Vector signal generators)
Tube furnaces (Vertical furnaces)
Semiconductor process systems (Wafer steppers)
Semiconductor process systems (Wet chemical clean benches)
Semiconductor process systems (Wire bonders)
X ray generators (X ray guns)
Spectrometers (X ray photoemission spectrometers)

Technologies Include:

Analytical or scientific software

Automated material handling software
Powersim PSIM
Reliability analysis software
Power analysis software
APLAC Solutions Corporation software
ReliaSoft Weibull++ 6
Signal integrity simulation software
Circuit simulation software
Availability prediction modeling software
Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE
Synopsis Design Compiler
Synopsys PrimeTime
Tektronix EZ-TEST
Test automation software
The MathWorks MATLAB
The MathWorks Simulink
Optimization software
Microwave circuit simulation software
Digital timing diagram editing software
Dynamic object-oriented requirements system DOORS
Mentor Graphics ModelSim
Electromagnetic analysis software
Time and motion analysis software
Electronic engineering calculator
Embedded systems testing software
Failure mode and effects analysis FMEA software
Failure mode effects and criticality analysis FMECA software
Failure reporting analysis and corrective action FRACAS software
Fault modeling software
Fault tree analysis FTA software
Finite difference time domain FDTD software
Finite element method FEM software
Mean time between failures MBTF software
Functional verification software
Hewlett-Packard HP Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer
Isograph Markov
Mean time to failure MTTF software
Life cycle cost software
Logic synthesis software
Matrix calculation software
Systems analysis programs for hands on integrated reliability evaluation software SAPHIRE

Computer aided design CAD software

Agilent Advanced Design System ADS software
Physical design software
Autodesk AutoCAD software
OrCAD Capture
Floor planning software
Cadence Allegro Design Entry software
Cadence Encounter Test
Chip design software
Printed circuit board design software
Computer aided design CAD software
Electronic design automation EDA software
MAGIC layout editor
Mento Graphics software
Schematic design entry software
Field programmable gate array FPGA design software
ViewLogic software

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

Rapid prototyping software

Development environment software

Altera hardware description language AHDL
Advanced boolean expression language ABEL
Ada
Programmed logic controller PLC code generation software
Hardware description language HDL
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Visual Studio
Eclipse IDE software
National Instruments LabVIEW
Verilog
VHSIC hardware description language VHDL
C

Object or component oriented development software

Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
Python
JHDL
C++
Sun Microsystems Java

Operating system software

Microsoft Windows Server
UNIX

Presentation software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Program testing software

Defect tracking software
Debugging software

Project management software

Microsoft Project

Requirements analysis and system architecture software

Requirements management software

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

WAN switching software and firmware

ATD protocol
X.25 Protocol

Word processing software

Microsoft Word

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Special Requirements

If your work as an engineer affects public health, safety, or property, you must register with the state. To become licensed as a professional engineer in Virginia, applicants must meet the following requirements:

EIT (Engineer-in-Training) EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must meet one of the following:

   •   Graduate of approved curriculum of 4 years or more OR Graduate of non-approved curriculum + 2 years of experience
   •   Must be enrolled in an ABET accredited curriculum and within 12 months of degree.
   •   Graduated from a non-approved engineering technology curriculum + 6 years of experience
   •   Graduated with an undergraduate degree from an institution without an approved curriculum and obtained a graduate degree from an institution with an approved curriculum

LICENSURE FOR ENGINEERS:

Step 1:

Graduation

The first step is graduating from an ABET-accredited engineering program at a college or university.

Step 2:

FE Exam

The first exam in the licensure process is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE). This exam is offered in April and October every year. Most students take the exam right before graduation or soon after while the technical information they've studied is still fresh in their minds.

Step 3:

Work Experience

Many jurisdictions have specific requirements about the type of experience you need to gain. Most require that you gain experience under the supervision of someone who is already licensed, and that your experience involve increasing levels of responsibility. Once you begin work, contact your licensing board to find out what experience is needed and talk with professional engineers in your company to find out how you can gain this experience.

Step 4:

PE Exam

Once you have gained the appropriate experience, you can take the second exam in the licensure process, the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE). This exam is given in a variety of engineering disciplines. Most disciplines are offered in both April and October, but some are offered only in October.

After completing all the steps in the engineering licensure process—education, experience, and examinations—you are eligible for licensure by your licensing board.

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

   •   Must have a bachelor’s degree from an approved curriculum + 4 years of professional experience as an EIT OR Graduate of non-approved curriculum + 6 years of professional experience as an EIT
   •   Graduated from a non-approved engineering technology curriculum of four years or more + 10 years experience
   •   Graduate from an accredited undergraduate engineering degree and a doctorate degree in engineering from an institution with an accredited undergraduate program + 4 years of experience
   •   Graduated from an engineering , engineering technology or related science curriculum of four years or more + 20 years

EXAM:

   •   The Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam
   •   Must provide 3 references from licensed professional engineers

LICENSE RENEWAL: The Professional Engineer license must be renewed every two years.

Required Fees:

· Exam: $250 for Principles And Practice Exam; $140 for Fundamentals Of Engineering Exam (can vary by state)

· Renewal: $30

· Application: $40 (For Principles And Practice Exam); $20 (For Fundamentals Of Engineering Exam)

· Comity $ 40

· PE Exam rescore $ 25

· FE/PE out of state proctor $ 30

· Dishonored check $ 25

For More Information, Contact:

Virginia Department Of Professional And Occupational Regulation
Board For Architects / Prof. Engineers / Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, And Landscape Architects
3600 West Broad St.
Richmond, VA 23230-4917
Phone: 804.367.8512
TTY: 804.367.9753
Fax: 804.367.2475
http://www.state.va.us/dpor/indexie.html

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Additional Resources

Information on electrical and electronics engineers is available from:

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
445 Hoes Lane
Piscatway, NJ 08855-1331
http://www.ieee.org

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
93.50	Engineering and Technology	Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
91.75	Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
77.75	Design	Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
69.25	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
68.00	Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
64.50	Physics	Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
56.25	Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
54.75	Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
54.50	Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
52.50	Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Skills

%	Subject	Description
78.00	Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
75.00	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
75.00	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
72.00	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
72.00	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
72.00	Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
72.00	Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
62.50	Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
59.50	Mathematics	Using mathematics to solve problems.
56.25	Systems Evaluation	Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
56.25	Systems Analysis	Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
56.25	Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
56.25	Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
53.00	Operations Analysis	Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
50.00	Science	Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
50.00	Learning Strategies	Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
50.00	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
50.00	Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
50.00	Instructing	Teaching others how to do something.
50.00	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
50.00	Management of Personnel Resources	Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
78.00	Written Comprehension	The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
78.00	Written Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
75.00	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
75.00	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
75.00	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
75.00	Deductive Reasoning	The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75.00	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
72.00	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
72.00	Category Flexibility	The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
68.75	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.50	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
62.50	Mathematical Reasoning	The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
59.50	Number Facility	The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
56.25	Fluency of Ideas	The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
56.25	Originality	The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
56.25	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
53.00	Perceptual Speed	The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
53.00	Visualization	The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
53.00	Selective Attention	The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
50.00	Flexibility of Closure	The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
50.00	Far Vision	The ability to see details at a distance.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
98.00	Working with Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
96.75	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
89.50	Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
88.50	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
87.75	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
84.25	Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
83.50	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
83.00	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
83.00	Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
81.00	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
80.25	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
79.25	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
74.75	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
73.25	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
71.25	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
68.50	Communicating with People Outside the Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
68.25	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
66.25	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
65.75	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
64.25	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
63.00	Providing Consultation and Advice to Others	Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
62.75	Developing Objectives and Strategies	Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
59.75	Monitoring and Controlling Resources	Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
58.50	Training and Teaching Others	Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
57.75	Developing and Building Teams	Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
57.00	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
56.75	Coaching and Developing Others	Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
91.50	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
83.00	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
81.75	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
79.50	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
78.50	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
75.25	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
74.75	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
73.00	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
69.75	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
68.50	Self-Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
67.75	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
64.75	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
60.75	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
60.00	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
58.00	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
54.75	Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
77.83	Achievement	Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
75.00	Working Conditions	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
72.17	Recognition	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
72.17	Independence	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
55.50	Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
55.50	Support	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
97.40	Electronic Mail	How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
96.00	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
94.00	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
94.00	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
91.80	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
90.80	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
89.40	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
86.80	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
86.00	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
82.80	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
81.20	Spend Time Sitting	How much does this job require sitting?
80.00	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
78.40	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
75.60	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
74.80	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
73.60	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
66.60	Level of Competition	To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
64.60	Frequency of Conflict Situations	How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
64.20	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
64.00	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets	How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
62.20	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
62.00	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
60.60	Consequence of Error	How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
59.60	Letters and Memos	How often does the job require written letters and memos?
59.20	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
58.80	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable	How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
54.20	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
51.80	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People	How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Overall Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Earnings Benefits*

Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
United States	$69,320.00	$106,950.00	$137,140.00
Virginia	$78,110.00	$110,840.00	$139,250.00

Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
Alexandria/Arlington	$95,130.00	$132,550.00	$163,720.00
Bay Consortium	$89,630.00	$127,230.00	$139,710.00
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	$80,350.00	$107,610.00	$129,570.00
Central VA/Region2000	$66,830.00	$95,230.00	$118,650.00
Crater Area	$80,830.00	$126,210.00	$129,970.00
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	$80,210.00	$103,200.00	$120,200.00
New River/Mt. Rogers	$72,330.00	$92,380.00	$112,960.00
Northern Virginia	$94,860.00	$132,550.00	$157,000.00
Piedmont Workforce	$70,290.00	$99,900.00	$126,930.00
Shenandoah Valley	$67,690.00	$98,480.00	$115,010.00
South Central	$75,850.00	$108,680.00	$124,040.00
Southwestern Virginia	$66,710.00	$101,600.00	$117,250.00
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	$71,060.00	$94,780.00	$111,690.00

* Earnings Calculations:

Regional Earnings:
   Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
   Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.

National and State Earnings:
   Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
   Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Employment Projections

USA: 2023-2033

Virginia: 2022-2032

Regions: 2020-2030

	Current	Projected	% Change
United States	189,100	206,300	+9.1%
Virginia	5,333	5,557	+4.2%

Region	Current*	Projected	% Change
Alexandria/Arlington	No Data	No Data	No Data
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	No Data	No Data	No Data
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	No Data	No Data	No Data
New River/Mt. Rogers	No Data	No Data	No Data
Northern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
Piedmont Workforce	No Data	No Data	No Data
Shenandoah Valley	No Data	No Data	No Data
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

* - Estimated

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Related Occupations

The related occupations here have similar general capabilities and interests; career explorers may also be interested in the related occupations:

Careers in Engineering and Technology Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

View Videos

CareerOneStop Video

View Video & Transcript on CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Videos
Overview
Occupations

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee; CareerOneStop. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Military Training

The following military job classifications are available for this occupation:

Aviation Maintenance and Allied
Construction and Utilities
Electrical/Electronic
Ordnance

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Working with Computers	5.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	5.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	4.5
Documenting/Recording Information	4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.5
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	4.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.5
Getting Information	4.5
Analyzing Data or Information	4.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	4.0
Thinking Creatively	4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0
Processing Information	4.0
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	4.0
Communicating with People Outside the Organization	3.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People	3.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	3.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others	3.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	3.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	3.5
Training and Teaching Others	3.5
Developing and Building Teams	3.5
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.5
Coaching and Developing Others	3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	3.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	3.0
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	3.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	2.5
Performing Administrative Activities	2.5
Staffing Organizational Units	2.5
Performing General Physical Activities	2.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	2.5
Controlling Machines and Processes	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Handling and Moving Objects	2.0
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	2.0
Selling or Influencing Others	2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.5

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Titles

Automation Engineer
Broadcast Engineer
Cable Engineer
Circuits Engineer
Controls Engineer
Distribution Engineer
Distribution Field Engineer
District Plant Engineer
Division Engineer
Division Plant Engineer
Electrical and Instrument Maintenance Supervisor (E and I Maintenance Supervisor)
Electrical Controls Engineer
Electrical Design Engineer
Electrical Designer
Electrical Electronics Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Integrator
Electrical Products Engineer
Electrical Project Engineer
Electrical Prospecting Engineer
Electrical Research Engineer
Electrical Systems Design Engineer
Electrical Systems Engineer
Electrical Technical Specialist
Electrical Test Engineer
Electrolysis and Corrosion Control Engineer
Electrolysis Engineer
Electrolysis Investigator
Engineer of System Development
Facilities Engineer
Failure Analysis Technician
Geothermal Electrical Engineer
Hardware Design Engineer
Hardware Engineer
Hydroelectric Plant Electrical Engineer
Illuminating Engineer
Induction Coordination Engineer
Induction Coordination Power Engineer
Laser Engineer
Lighting Engineer
Line Construction Engineer
Maintenance Engineer
Manufacturing Controls Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Meter Engineer
Microwave Supervisor
Outside Plant Engineer
Photovoltaic Power Systems Engineer (PV Power Systems Engineer)
Photovoltaic Solar Cell Designer (PV Solar Cell Designer)
Plant Engineer
Power Distribution Engineer
Power Generation Engineer
Power System Electrical Engineer
Power Transmission Engineer
Project Engineer
Protection Engineer
Radio Frequency Engineer (RF Engineer)
Relay Engineer
Research and Development Electrical Engineer
Results Engineer
Rural Electrification Engineer
Service Engineer
Smart Grid Engineer
Software Engineer
Solar Designer
Solar Energy Engineer
Solar Energy Systems Designer
Solar Engineer
Substations Electrical Engineer
Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)
Telecommunication Engineer
Telephone Engineer
Test Engineer
Testing Engineer
Traffic Engineer
Traffic Routing Engineer
Transmission Engineer
Utility Engineer
Wind Farm Electrical Systems Designer
Wind Turbine Electrical Engineer
Wire Communications Engineer

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)

Electrical Engineers

Related Schools

Christopher Newport University
George Mason University
Liberty University
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet291)