Electrical & Electronic Engineers Description OES Code: 221260 Design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical and electronic equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $14.38 $6.00 – $24.73 New, experienced: $18.87 $7.00 – $32.84 3 yrs+ experience: $23.01 $8.50 – $45.00 Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Most Electrical and Electronics Engineers work a 40 hour, five day week. Overtime and weekend work is sometimes necessary but not on a frequent basis. Employers usually offer attractive benefits packages to Engineers, including vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and health insurance programs, as well as stock option and profit sharing plans. Employment Trends Employment 1996 62,470 Projected Employment 2006 91,130 Growth Rate 1996-2006 45.9% Openings due to Separations 19,340 Employment Trends by California County In the 1880's Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb signaled the beginnings of the Electrical Engineering field. After this seemingly miraculous electrical illumination came the electric motor, telephone, telegraph, motion pictures and radio. Today, we have electronics and the computer. With the advent of the semiconductor chip, the computer, formerly housed in a large computer room, can now be found as a portable laptop PC. Presently, research continues in many different areas including sources of electrical energy, intelligent robotics systems, digital computer technologies, multimedia computing and optoelectronics. Job growth will be due to increased demand for computers and communications equipment. Consumer demand for electrical and electronic goods and increased research and development on computers, robots, and other types of automation should also create additional jobs. However, further defense related spending cutbacks could adversely affect job outlook. Advancement The entry level engineering position is customarily that of Assistant Engineer. At this level, Engineers conduct standardized tests, prepare data for reports, and perform other routine engineering tasks. From the assistant level, promotional steps may include Associate, Staff, and Senior Engineer positions. Other senior level positions are referred to as Design, Project, or Principal Engineers. Depending on the industry and firm, Engineers often move into managerial, sales, and administrative positions. Many Engineers become engaged in graduate study in engineering or business administration to improve their job skills and enhance their advancement potential. Getting the Job & Other Information Firms employing Electrical and Electronics Engineers frequently recruit for entry level positions on college campuses in both the fall and spring. Advertisements of open positions appear in professional journals, trade magazines, and newspapers. Employers and applicants use the employment services of professional societies, private employment agencies, and the Employment Development Department. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training A Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering is essential for one to secure an entry position. Since there are continuing technological advances, Electrical And Electronics Engineers frequently go on to graduate school after obtaining their four year degree. Research jobs or faculty positions usually require an MS or Ph.D degree. Graduate degrees are also sometimes required for promotions. Electrical and Electronics Engineers often continue to study throughout their career to keep up with the latest technologies, which in turn makes them more valuable to their employers. Engineers in some specialties must be registered by the State of California. This registration qualifies them to offer services to the public or to work in positions where their actions may affect the public welfare. To obtain registration, graduating Engineers take the Engineer-in-Training examination which covers knowledge of engineering fundamentals. Applicants who pass this exam must obtain a minimum of two years of engineering experience, then take the professional examination in electrical engineering. Those who pass this test, which involves practical application of engineering principles, are qualified to register with the State as Electrical Engineers. Colleges and universities are usually very specific in their entrance requirements. High school students considering a career in this field should find out what the entrance requirements are for each college or university to which they may eventually apply. High school courses usually required include advanced courses in subjects such as calculus, algebra, plane and solid geometry, trigonometry, physics, chemistry, English, and a foreign language. Computer science classes are also highly recommended. Engineers must have an aptitude for science and mathematics, as well as an analytical mind and the ability to do detailed work. Skills & Other Requirements Electrical and Electronic Engineers are involved in the science that studies elementary particles, smaller than the atom, called electrons. This field of study is very broad. Engineers apply theories and principles of science and mathematics to solve practical technical problems. Electrical Engineers specialize in the production, transmission and uses of electrical power. Electronics Engineers are more involved with low power applications including radio and television, computers and telephones. Most of California's Electrical and Electronics Engineers are employed in manufacturing industries including aerospace, electrical equipment, personal electronics, computer electronics, medical electronics and telecommunication equipment. Engineers in manufacturing may be researchers and investigate issues related to possible applications, such as chemical interactions and new materials. Engineers who actually do product design and development use CAD/CAE (computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering) tools to draw up plans for efficient production. The Production Engineers are the "hands on" engineers. They guide products through all stages of the manufacturing process. They also determine performance standards for new products and write maintenance schedules to ensure that these standards will be met. Many Engineers also write technical manuals, instructional pamphlets, and installation instructions. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Electrical & Electronic Engineers #12 Related Occupation: Industrial Engineers #3, Civil Engineers #39, Nuclear Engineers #367 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.