Electrical Engineer Job Description
Job Description and Duties
Electrical engineers work alongside electricians and oversee implementation of electrical systems. Primary job duties include designing schematics for wiring and developing new ways of implementation. Other job responsibilities include preparing, testing, and manufacturing electrical equipment and calculating costs for various projects. Electrical engineers generally attend four-year colleges to receive a degree. Additional training, such as vocational schooling or graduate school, may also prove necessary for electrical engineers. Traditionally a full-time job, many electrical engineers also work overtime. Depending on demand and workload, electrical engineers may keep irregular or long hours in addition to a 40-hour per week work schedule.
Salary and Compensation
Mean annual salary options for electrical engineers hover around $87,000 a year. Starting pay for electrical engineers begins around $55,000 per year. Electrical engineer jobs represent some of the highest paid jobs for college graduates in terms of starting pay. The highest paying areas for electrical engineering work include Massachusetts, Alaska, California, Maine, and Washington D.C. Most electrical engineers earn a host of employment benefits. Typical job benefits for workers in the electrical or power industries include healthcare coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, disability and life insurance, and paid vacation time.