Electrical engineering is a very competitive field which means that there are more applicants than jobs. Yet, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to find a job. If you’re qualified and have all the necessary skills, you’ll get the job of your dreams.

Speaking about the electrical engineering starting salary, it’s $77,023 as of May 1, 2023. Yet, it can range between $71,983 and $82,473 depending on such factors as qualifications, education, years of experience and additional skills.

Taking into account the fact that engineering is a very broad field, you’ll have tons of options in terms of choosing a major as well as narrowing down your career options. You can work in software engineering, electrical engineering,  mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering. What is more, those who major in electrical engineering can easily transfer to an adjacent field if they want to.

The best paying electrical engineering jobs

Here are the professions where you’ll get paid the most if you major in electrical engineering:

• Electrical control engineer
• Aerospace electrical engineer
• Production engineer
• Electrical project engineer
• Electrical distribution designer
• Systems engineer
• Principal electrical engineer

What is more, there are a few other fields where you can expect a high electrical engineering salary. Some of them are as follows. The average pay of a communication engineer is around $88,878. Speaking about a digital signal processing engineer, their median wage is around $89,459. Software engineers get roughly $160,000 while applications engineers can expect to receive $106,890 annually.

How to succeed in this field to get a well-paid job

The first and most important step you need to take is to get a degree. Having a proper educational background matters a lot in this field. Don’t forget that working as an electrical engineer means polishing your skills on a regular basis. You need to keep up with everyone else to make sure that you have more to offer. This is why it’s necessary to acquire additional skills and learn something new. You’ll have even more value on the job market if you possess knowledge in adjacent fields. You’ll be more flexible which means that more companies will be willing to hire you.

Apart from that, think about getting a postgraduate degree especially if you want to obtain a senior role. Gain as much practical experience as possible. Start with on-the-job training and proceed with all kinds of relevant work that you can do to improve your skills and put this experience on your resume. The more you are able to do, the more chances of getting a well-paid job you have.

Another important factor to consider is to develop your communication skills. You may find it unnecessary in such a field. However, you’re wrong and here’s why. Excellent communication skills help you present your ideas clearly and answer all the questions the team may have in a more persuasive manner. If you prove that you believe in something and show that you know how to make it work, everyone around you will believe in it too. In addition, great communication skills will help you build better relationships with your coworkers.

If you still require additional knowledge and skills, consider getting a mentor. This way, you’ll learn from a professional that has already achieved sufficient success in the field. They will most likely familiarize you with a few tips and tricks that will make it easier for you to reach the top of the career ladder. In general, the more qualified you are, the better position you will get. Besides, you’ll soon be able to dictate your own terms when a company is hunting you specifically. If you didn’t have a lot of problems doing your electrical engineering homework at college, having a mentor shouldn’t be a problem as well. It can be both a useful and exciting experience.

Yet, it’s vital to remember that having a job you’re passionate about still matters a lot. This is why it’s advisable to choose the field and the company that matches your interests. This way, you won’t risk having a burnout or being bored at work. Once you have lots of experience, you can easily be selective to find the job of your dreams that also pays well.

Getting a well-paid job in the field of electrical engineering may be challenging. Yet, the more knowledge and experience you have, the easier it will be for you to land the position you’ve been dreaming of. This is why it’s so important to never stop improving your skills. If you put a lot of effort into it, you’ll reach the top. It is totally possible to earn the highest salary in the field of electrical engineering. You can be one of those engineers that have managed to reach this goal.