Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
SOC Code: 17-2072.00
Architecture & EngineeringElectronics engineers design the circuits, components, and systems that power virtually every modern technology, from smartphones to satellites, earning an impressive median salary of $127,590 per year. These engineers apply principles of electrical engineering and materials science to research, design, develop, and test electronic equipment and systems for commercial, industrial, military, and scientific applications. The field offers a rare combination of intellectual challenge and tangible impact, as the circuits and systems they create become embedded in products used by billions of people worldwide. With electronics becoming more pervasive in every industry, career prospects remain exceptionally strong for engineers who can innovate at the component and system level.
Salary Overview
Median
$127,590
25th Percentile
$98,920
75th Percentile
$164,000
90th Percentile
$199,060
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+6.2%
New Openings
5,700
Outlook
Faster than average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
- 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.
- Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.
- Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
- Analyze electronics system requirements, capacity, cost, or customer needs to determine project feasibility.
- Prepare, review, or maintain maintenance schedules, design documentation, or operational reports or charts.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's Degree
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A Day in the Life
An electronics engineer's typical day blends design work, simulation, testing, and cross-functional collaboration in a dynamic technical environment. Morning hours often involve reviewing simulation results from electronic design automation tools, analyzing signal integrity data, or refining circuit schematics in software like Altium Designer, Cadence, or KiCad. Design reviews with peers are frequent, where engineers present their circuit architectures, discuss component selections, and evaluate thermal management strategies. Lab time occupies a substantial portion of the week—engineers prototype circuits on breadboards or evaluation boards, then characterize performance using oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and logic analyzers. Debugging is a constant activity, requiring methodical approaches to isolate noise sources, resolve timing violations, or optimize power consumption in complex mixed-signal designs. Engineers coordinate closely with PCB layout designers, mechanical engineers, firmware developers, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs meet all system-level requirements. Technical documentation, including design specifications, test reports, and failure analyses, is produced throughout the development cycle. Late-day activities might include supplier calls to discuss custom component requirements or reviewing test data from environmental qualification runs on prototype hardware.
Work Environment
Electronics engineers split their time between office environments for design and documentation work and laboratory settings for prototyping and testing. Design offices are typically quiet, professional spaces equipped with high-performance workstations running specialized EDA software and simulation tools. Labs feature extensive test equipment, soldering stations, and environmental chambers, creating a hands-on complement to computer-based design work. Most engineers work standard business hours, though project deadlines and product launch schedules can require extended hours or weekend work during critical development phases. The culture is intellectually rigorous and collaborative, with regular design reviews, technical seminars, and knowledge-sharing sessions fostering continuous learning. Companies range from large defense contractors and semiconductor firms with structured engineering processes to fast-moving startups where engineers wear multiple hats. Remote work has become more common for design and simulation tasks, though lab work requires physical presence. Travel requirements vary—field applications engineers may travel frequently to support customers, while core design engineers typically remain at their primary facility.
Career Path & Advancement
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a closely related discipline is the standard entry requirement, with coursework covering circuit theory, electromagnetics, signal processing, semiconductor physics, and control systems. Many engineers enhance their credentials with master's degrees or PhDs, particularly those pursuing roles in advanced research, RF design, or semiconductor development, which can push salaries well beyond the $127,590 median. Early-career engineers typically start as design engineers on established teams, working under the mentorship of senior engineers on specific subsystem designs. After gaining three to five years of experience, engineers often take ownership of complete system designs and begin leading small project teams. Senior engineers may advance to principal engineer or technical fellow roles, becoming recognized experts who guide architectural decisions across multiple product lines. Management tracks lead to engineering manager, director of engineering, and vice president of engineering positions for those who combine technical depth with leadership skills. Some experienced engineers transition into patent development, technical consulting, or venture capital evaluation of hardware startups, leveraging their deep domain expertise.
Specializations
Radio frequency and microwave engineering is a highly sought specialization, involving the design of antennas, transceivers, and wireless communication systems operating from megahertz to millimeter-wave frequencies. Analog and mixed-signal design focuses on precision circuits like data converters, amplifiers, and sensor interfaces that bridge the physical world with digital processing. Power electronics specialists design converters, inverters, and power management systems for applications ranging from smartphone chargers to electric vehicle drivetrain controllers. Semiconductor device engineering involves designing integrated circuits at the transistor level, working at the cutting edge of Moore's Law in foundries and fabless design houses. Embedded systems engineers design the hardware platforms that run firmware and real-time operating systems in IoT devices, automotive controllers, and industrial equipment. Signal processing engineers work on algorithms and hardware implementations for radar, sonar, communications, and image processing systems. Test and reliability engineering focuses on developing automated test equipment and methodologies to ensure electronic products meet performance and lifespan requirements.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The median salary of $127,590 places electronics engineers among the highest-paid engineering disciplines, with senior roles exceeding $180,000.
- ✓The work combines creative design with rigorous analytical problem-solving, providing deep intellectual satisfaction and continuous learning opportunities.
- ✓Electronics engineers create products with tangible real-world impact, from life-saving medical devices to communication systems connecting billions of users.
- ✓Strong demand across defense, telecommunications, automotive, consumer electronics, and semiconductor industries provides exceptional job security and mobility.
- ✓The field offers diverse specialization paths, allowing engineers to focus on areas aligned with their interests, from RF design to power electronics.
- ✓Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—firmware, mechanical, manufacturing—creates a rich professional environment with broad technical exposure.
- ✓The foundation in physics and mathematics enables career pivots into emerging fields like quantum computing, AI hardware, and autonomous systems.
Challenges
- ✗The educational requirement of at least a bachelor's degree, often supplemented by a master's, demands significant upfront investment in time and tuition.
- ✗Project deadline pressure can require extended work hours, particularly during critical prototype builds and product qualification phases.
- ✗Keeping pace with rapid technological evolution demands continuous learning, conference attendance, and staying current with evolving design tools and methodologies.
- ✗Debugging complex hardware issues can be frustrating and time-consuming, sometimes requiring weeks to isolate root causes in multi-layered electronic systems.
- ✗The shift toward software-defined functionality means engineers must increasingly develop firmware and programming skills beyond traditional hardware design expertise.
- ✗Global competition for semiconductor and electronics talent creates pressure to constantly demonstrate technical relevance and productivity.
- ✗Some positions in defense and classified programs require security clearances, limiting employer mobility and imposing lifestyle restrictions during the clearance process.
Industry Insight
The global demand for advanced semiconductors is driving massive investment in chip design and fabrication, with governments worldwide funding domestic semiconductor capacity through legislation like the CHIPS Act. Fifth-generation wireless technology and the emerging development of 6G systems are creating intense demand for RF and millimeter-wave engineers who can design the components and systems for next-generation communications. Electric vehicle adoption is transforming power electronics, as automotive manufacturers require engineers who can design efficient, reliable high-voltage systems for battery management, motor drives, and charging infrastructure. The Internet of Things continues to expand, pushing engineers to create ultra-low-power circuits that can operate for years on small batteries or harvested energy. Artificial intelligence hardware—custom accelerators, neuromorphic chips, and edge computing modules—represents one of the fastest-growing areas of electronics design. Quantum computing is moving from pure research toward engineering challenges, requiring electronics engineers who can design the cryogenic control systems and readout electronics for quantum processors. Supply chain resilience has become a critical design consideration, with engineers increasingly tasked with creating products that can accommodate component substitutions without requiring full redesigns.
How to Break Into This Career
Earning a bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering from an ABET-accredited program is the foundational step, as most employers require this credential as a minimum qualification. Completing relevant internships or co-op experiences during college provides practical exposure to professional engineering environments and builds a network of industry contacts. Developing strong proficiency with industry-standard EDA tools like Altium, Cadence OrCAD, or MATLAB/Simulink during school gives candidates a practical advantage in interviews. Building personal electronics projects—whether amateur radio equipment, embedded sensor systems, or audio amplifiers—demonstrates passion and hands-on capability beyond academic credentials. Participating in engineering competitions, such as IEEE design contests or university capstone projects sponsored by industry, showcases teamwork and applied problem-solving skills. Obtaining an Engineer Intern certification by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam signals professional commitment, even though licensure is less common in electronics than in civil or mechanical engineering. Pursuing entry-level roles at companies known for strong engineering mentorship programs, including major defense contractors, semiconductor firms, and consumer electronics companies, accelerates career development.
Career Pivot Tips
Electronics engineers possess one of the most versatile technical skill sets in engineering, creating abundant pivot opportunities across industries and disciplines. Their deep understanding of circuits, signals, and systems translates directly into software-defined radio, telecommunications, and network infrastructure roles where the $127,590 median salary can be maintained or exceeded. Engineers with analog and mixed-signal expertise are highly valued in the biomedical device industry, where they design sensor interfaces and signal conditioning circuits for diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The transition to technical program management is well-trodden, as engineers who understand complex hardware development processes excel at coordinating cross-functional teams and managing product schedules. Patent law and intellectual property offer a lucrative pivot for engineers willing to pursue legal education, as electronics patent attorneys are in high demand and command exceptional compensation. Technical sales engineering and field applications engineering leverage design expertise in customer-facing roles that often include commission-based compensation above base salaries. Data science and machine learning roles are accessible to engineers with strong mathematics and signal processing backgrounds who add programming skills to their toolkit. Venture capital firms and corporate strategy groups actively recruit engineers who can evaluate the technical viability and market potential of hardware startups and emerging technologies.
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