3 answers
Jeremiah
Student
Salem, Oregon
5
Questions
Asked
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How is the pay for an Electronics Engineer?
Is the effort worth the pay? Or does it depend on the person?
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3 answers
Malay Lama
IT Support and Software Engineering
1
Answer
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Updated
Malay’s Answer
The answer to your question varies based on your location. Typically, this profession offers good pay, but it demands a lot of hard work. The courses are challenging and may limit your social activities during college. As a Computer Science major who also took some Electrical Engineering courses, I can confirm their difficulty.
I see. Thank you for your response Malay.
Jeremiah
Nathan Parker
Engineer
4
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Nathan’s Answer
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reference site, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, says the following about pay for electronics engineers in the USA: "The median annual wage for electronics engineers, except computer was $104,820 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $73,630, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $166,890."
Check out the Pay section of the Occupational Outlook Handbook for Electrical and Electronics Engineers for further info: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm#tab-5
Nathan recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for your response. I'll be sure to look into this.
Jeremiah
Daniel Chang
engineering director
9
Answers
Redwood City, California
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Hello Jeremiah, I gather from your question that you're in the process of deciding what to study in college and are curious about whether the effort required to earn a degree will be worth it in terms of potential career prospects. You've received some excellent insights on the salary range for electrical engineers, so I'll try to address the other aspect of your question. If my assumption is incorrect, please disregard the following.
My main advice to you is this: if circumstances permit, choose a career based on your passions rather than potential earnings. A career often spans several decades, and it's a long time to dedicate to something that doesn't ignite your interest. In other words, you're likely to invest more time and energy into a job you love, which often leads to better performance. Enthusiastic workers who excel at their jobs usually earn more than those who lack interest in their work. So, even if the initial salary for electrical engineering surpasses that of a field you're more interested in, you might soon find yourself earning a decent salary in a job you truly enjoy.
Another factor to consider is the future demand for electrical engineering jobs. Earning an engineering degree requires a significant investment of time and effort, so ideally, you'd want this investment to yield interesting and well-paid work for a long period. Given the rapid advancement of technology, the skills needed to become a successful electrical engineer could also be applicable in another emerging field.
For context, I've been an electrical engineer for over 30 years, primarily in Silicon Valley. During this time, I've witnessed major shifts in the industry, including the migration of integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing and design work out of the US. The nature of the work has also evolved, with tasks previously split between manual and computer-based work now being almost entirely computerized. While these changes were unpredictable three decades ago, I would have appreciated knowing the potential for such shifts. Despite these changes, I've thoroughly enjoyed my work as an electrical engineer and found it to be a rewarding career. However, I would have appreciated knowing what the future might hold.
In conclusion, I wish you all the best in your journey and hope you find a career that brings you both joy and satisfaction. My most reliable piece of advice is to trust your instincts.
My main advice to you is this: if circumstances permit, choose a career based on your passions rather than potential earnings. A career often spans several decades, and it's a long time to dedicate to something that doesn't ignite your interest. In other words, you're likely to invest more time and energy into a job you love, which often leads to better performance. Enthusiastic workers who excel at their jobs usually earn more than those who lack interest in their work. So, even if the initial salary for electrical engineering surpasses that of a field you're more interested in, you might soon find yourself earning a decent salary in a job you truly enjoy.
Another factor to consider is the future demand for electrical engineering jobs. Earning an engineering degree requires a significant investment of time and effort, so ideally, you'd want this investment to yield interesting and well-paid work for a long period. Given the rapid advancement of technology, the skills needed to become a successful electrical engineer could also be applicable in another emerging field.
For context, I've been an electrical engineer for over 30 years, primarily in Silicon Valley. During this time, I've witnessed major shifts in the industry, including the migration of integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing and design work out of the US. The nature of the work has also evolved, with tasks previously split between manual and computer-based work now being almost entirely computerized. While these changes were unpredictable three decades ago, I would have appreciated knowing the potential for such shifts. Despite these changes, I've thoroughly enjoyed my work as an electrical engineer and found it to be a rewarding career. However, I would have appreciated knowing what the future might hold.
In conclusion, I wish you all the best in your journey and hope you find a career that brings you both joy and satisfaction. My most reliable piece of advice is to trust your instincts.
Thank you very much for your response. I am in the process of figuring out which path to follow. I really like electronics, my main hobby is repairing and maintaining electronics. I would also like to design electronics. This is why I think I could be a good fit for this path. Again, thank you for your response, this has given me a lot to consider.
Jeremiah