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Electrical Engineers: A future-proof career field

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Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, components, and systems that power modern life. From the intricate circuits in your smartphone to the massive grids powering oil and gas operations, renewable energy farms, smart factories, and utility networks, electrical engineers are the architects behind it all. At Edwards Automation and Design, we specialize in industrial control panels, electrical design, and automation programming—core areas where electrical engineers drive efficiency, safety, and innovation every day.

This field stands out as highly sought-after because it demands deep technical expertise, problem-solving under pressure, and continuous learning. The “high intelligence investment” isn’t just hype: the rigorous training creates professionals who are hard to replace, even as automation and AI evolve. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034—much faster than the average for all occupations—with about 17,500 job openings annually.

How to Get Started: The Educational Path

The journey begins with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or a closely related field) from an ABET-accredited program. ABET accreditation ensures the curriculum meets rigorous standards in math, physics, circuits, electronics, electromagnetics, and hands-on labs. There are hundreds of ABET-accredited electrical engineering bachelor’s programs across the U.S. (part of ~4,800 total accredited engineering programs nationwide).

These are typically 4-year programs, but expect a high failure rate. Engineering as a whole sees 40-50% of students drop out or switch majors, with electrical engineering often ranking among the toughest due to heavy calculus, differential equations, physics, and complex labs. Six-year graduation rates hover around 60-62% at many institutions. Success requires strong STEM foundations from high school, discipline, and often summer bridge programs or tutoring.

Top programs (e.g., MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, or strong regional ones like those feeding into industrial hubs) are competitive, with acceptance rates sometimes below 10-20% for in-state applicants at elite schools. Public universities award the majority (~80%) of EE bachelor’s degrees, making them accessible entry points.

After the degree, many pursue a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam early, gaining 4 years of supervised experience, and then the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. This credential opens doors to higher-responsibility roles, especially in utilities, consulting, or government.

What Comes After Schooling: Real-World Experience Matters

Classroom knowledge alone isn’t enough. Before (or right after) graduation, seek internships or co-ops. These expose you to real challenges: debugging PLC systems in a factory, designing power distribution for an oilfield, or integrating sensors in automation setups.

Common options include:

  • Summer internships at utilities, manufacturers (e.g., Siemens, GE, or local firms like Edwards Automation and Design), or tech companies.
  • Co-op programs (alternating semesters of work and school).
  • Entry-level roles as junior engineers, technicians, or field support.

Hands-on experience builds resumes, networks, and practical skills in tools like AutoCAD Electrical (which does incorporate AI-assisted features for design automation), MATLAB, LabVIEW, or PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens).

At Edwards Automation and Design, we value candidates with internship experience in industrial controls—it’s often the difference between theory and the ability to deliver reliable automation solutions under tight deadlines.

Career Paths and Opportunities

Electrical engineering offers diverse paths:

  • Power Systems & Renewables: Design grids, substations, solar/wind integration—booming with the energy transition.
  • Control Systems & Automation: PLCs, SCADA, robotics—core to manufacturing and Industry 4.0 (a sweet spot for our work at Edwards).
  • Electronics & Semiconductors: Chip design, embedded systems for EVs, IoT, consumer devices.
  • Aerospace & Defense: Avionics, radar, satellite systems.
  • Telecom & Signal Processing: 5G/6G networks, wireless tech.
  • Emerging: AI-integrated hardware, edge computing, smart cities.

Many advance to senior engineer, project manager, or leadership roles. AI and automation aren’t replacing EEs—they’re tools that amplify productivity. Engineers who master AI for simulation, predictive maintenance, or optimization will thrive.

Expected Pay: Rewarding Returns on the Investment

The journey is demanding, but the rewards are substantial. Median annual wage for electrical engineers is $111,910 (May 2024), with the top 10% exceeding $172,000.

Starting salaries for new graduates average $90,526 (NACE 2025 survey for Class of 2024 electrical engineering majors). Entry-level (0-1 year) often lands at $86,000–$92,000; with 5+ years, expect $110,000–$130,000+; seniors or specialists in high-demand areas (e.g., automation, power) routinely hit $150,000–$200,000+ with bonuses and equity.

Add benefits like health insurance, 401(k) matching, tuition reimbursement, and relocation packages—common in the field.

Competition and Why It's Future-Proof

The U.S. awards ~27,000–28,000 EE bachelor’s degrees annually. Openings (~17,500/year) plus retirements create opportunity, but competition is real—especially at the graduate level, where international students comprise 70-80%+ of full-time enrollees in many programs.

U.S. citizen growth in EE degrees has lagged, but demand surges in renewables, EVs, automation, and defense. AI augments routine tasks (e.g., circuit optimization), freeing engineers for creative, high-value work. BLS growth of 7% plus retirements signals strong prospects through 2034.

A Great Investment—And a Call to Action

Electrical engineering is challenging to enter and sustain, but it’s one of the most future-proof careers: essential to every industry, resilient to automation, and well-compensated. If you’re analytical, detail-oriented, and passionate about technology that powers progress, this field delivers stability, impact, and growth.

At Edwards Automation and Design, we live this every day—designing custom control panels, programming automation systems, and solving industrial electrical challenges for clients nationwide. Whether you’re a recent grad seeking that first role or an experienced engineer looking to specialize in controls and integration, our team offers hands-on projects, mentorship, and competitive paths forward.

Can I get started in Farmington, NM?

you can definitely get started right in Farmington at San Juan College (SJC)—it’s a smart, cost-effective first step toward becoming an electrical engineer,

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