Why Choose Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering is an exciting field at the center of technological innovation. By designing, developing, and testing electrical systems, engineers enable transformation across diverse sectors, such as renewable energy and smart cities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical engineering is growing at 9%, which is well above the 4% average growth rate for all occupations, creating strong prospects for graduates.¹

This article will explore the benefits of electrical engineering as a career, including the salary and potential impact.

What Makes Electrical Engineering a High-Demand Career?

Electrical engineering is central to modern technologies such as electric vehicles, smartphones, communication networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and power generation. Almost all industries need electrical engineers, opening up a broad range of career trajectories for electrical engineers. Electrical engineering job opportunities are available in areas such as aerospace, biotechnology, manufacturing, and satellite communications.² There are currently 287,800 electrical engineering jobs, with 26,200 more expected to be added over the next decade.¹

Career Benefits That Make Electrical Engineering Stand Out

Electrical engineering is a diverse and dynamic field that makes it a great career choice for a wide range of people. It’s a well-paying profession that integrates well with a range of other interests.

Electrical Engineering Salary Expectations and Career Advancement

Electrical engineering is among the top-paying fields in the US. With an average annual salary of $108,000,³ the pay is in the top 20% for U.S. workers.⁴ As they gain experience, electrical engineering career prospects can advance to leadership positions overseeing teams or managing engineering programs.⁵

Versatile Career Paths and Specializations 

One of the advantages of being an electrical engineer is that you can choose from many areas of specialization. You can focus on computer engineering by working on hardware and smart devices such as IoT sensors and wearable health trackers. In the automation and robotics industry, electrical engineers collaborate to design automated manufacturing systems and infrastructure. Electrical engineers who go into the automotive industry can design driver assistance systems that automate and improve the driver experience.⁶

Electrical Engineering's Impact on Society

With their diverse skill set, electrical engineers contribute to the advanced technologies that drive innovation in society.

The Smart Grid and Sustainable Energy

Smart grids allow cities to effectively manage and distribute renewable energy, such as solar and wind. Through the smart grid, engineers can connect many different renewable energy sources and distribute it to users. Engineers leverage IoT sensors to monitor grid performance and swiftly address service disruptions.⁷

Medical Devices in Healthcare 

Medical devices are improving patient outcomes through technologies such as smart diagnostic systems and smart prosthetics. Electrical engineers collaborate with other experts and design the electrical circuitry and power systems for medical devices. These devices play a significant role in quality healthcare by performing functions such as monitoring organ functions and assisting with surgical procedures.⁸

Telecommunication Systems

Electrical engineers play a critical role in developing telecommunication systems. They design reliable and efficient networks to ensure seamless and rapid data transmission. They’re responsible for determining optimal tower placement by analyzing traffic patterns to eliminate dead zones. They also test systems and maintain and upgrade telecommunication networks to meet evolving demands.⁹

Emerging Applications of Electrical Engineering

The electrical engineering landscape is evolving quickly and redefining the profession's scope and impact. Artificial intelligence (AI) integration has become a cornerstone of modern electrical engineering, particularly in smart grid applications where AI algorithms enable predictive analytics for real-time resource allocation, outage prevention, and system optimization.¹⁰

Simultaneously, cybersecurity in power systems has emerged as a critical concern, as increasingly connected smart grids and energy infrastructure face sophisticated threats that could compromise essential services. Engineers must implement robust security protocols to protect vulnerable grid communications, sensor networks, and control systems from malicious actors.¹¹

Perhaps most significantly, electrical engineers are playing an expanding role in sustainability and climate-related infrastructure, designing renewable energy systems, energy-efficient technologies, and smart transportation networks that reduce carbon emissions. From developing vehicle-to-grid integration for electric vehicles to optimizing solar and wind energy capture and storage, engineers are essential to creating resilient, climate-friendly infrastructure. These converging trends are transforming electrical engineering into a multidisciplinary field where digital competency, security expertise, and sustainable design principles have become indispensable for addressing 21st-century challenges.¹²

Essential Skills Required for Electrical Engineering

To succeed in electrical engineering, you’ll need both hard and soft skills. Electrical engineers need a strong foundation in technical skills to design, develop, and maintain electrical systems. Technical skills include a strong foundation in math and physics for circuit design, control systems, electromagnetics, electronics, programming language, and simulation software. You’ll also need analytical skills such as data and fault analysis, optimization, risk analysis, and statistical analysis. Engineers use critical thinking to develop innovative technologies, perform root cause analysis, and take a systematic approach to problem-solving.¹³

Additionally, electrical engineers need strong soft skills to collaborate with others, work on large projects, and communicate effectively. You may be working in interdisciplinary teams, so you’ll need to understand and convey complex information regarding projects. This requires effective communication and collaboration skills. If you move into more senior roles, you’ll need leadership skills to effectively guide projects and bring out the best in your team members.¹³

Preparing for a Career in Electrical Engineering

To prepare for a career in electrical engineering, you should explore different career options and industries to find which ones best align with your skills and interests. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a college with an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited electrical engineering program. Once you’ve graduated from an accredited program, you will need four years of professional work experience and pass the required exams to earn licensure.¹⁴

During or after your undergraduate program, you can pursue an internship or co-op to gain hands-on work experience. If you want to work in advanced positions, you can also consider getting a master’s degree.¹⁴

Launch a New Career With a BS in Electrical Engineering

With Bradley University’s online BS in Electrical Engineering, you can launch a rewarding career as an electrical engineer from the convenience of home. You can work at your own pace, but you’re never on your own. You’ll learn from industry experts and participate in on-campus, hands-on labs to gain relevant experience and build your skills. You can choose from different elective options to personalize your curriculum and align your future career with your interests.

With two intake dates, you can choose the one that’s most convenient for you. We’re test-free for students who’ve graduated from an accredited high school within the US in the year prior to enrollment. You can apply for financial aid to make tuition more affordable. Reach out to one of our Admission Advisors today to learn more.