Electrical Engineers
SOC 17-2071
Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
Wages and Benefits
| Hourly Wages | Range | Median |
|---|---|---|
| New Hires, No Experience | $15.00 - $50.00 | $28.65 |
| New Hires, with Experience | $15.00 - $65.00 | $30.49 |
| After Three Years with the Firm | $22.75 - $70.00 | $41.06 |
Average Weekly Hours:
Almost all (99%) Electrical Engineers work full-time, 40 hours per week.
Shifts:
Almost all Electrical Engineers work a regular day shift.
Percent of Employers Offering Fringe Benefits:
| Full-Time Employees | ||
| Benefit Offered | % of Employers | |
| Medical Insurance: | Yes* | 94% |
| Dental Insurance: | Yes | 44% |
| Vision Insurance: | Yes | 25% |
| Life Insurance: | Yes | 25% |
| Disability: | Yes | 50% |
| Paid Sick Leave: | Yes | 81% |
| Paid Vacation: | Yes | 88% |
| Retirement Plan: | Yes | 63% |
| Child Care: | No | 0% |
*17% of employers providing coverage cover 100% of medical
insurance premiums;
50% cover 50-99% of medical insurance premiums;
25% cover 1-49% of medical insurance premiums; and
8% cover 0% of medical premiums.
Other Employer Specified:
Bonuses.
EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS
Education:
All (100%) firms require a bachelor’s degree.
Training:
Many (50%) firms accept two to three years of training as a substitute for experience. Some (25%) require vocational training in drafting or AutoCAD.
Experience:
Most (75%) firms require five years prior experience as an Electrical Engineer. Most (63%) firms accept prior experience in related occupations, such as Contractor, Industrial Designer, and CAD Operator.
Skills rated "Very Important":
Ability to read technical drawings and specifications
Ability to work independently
Ability to evaluate data from engineering projects
Knowledge of electrical and electronic principles
Ability to estimate and evaluate costs for engineering projects
Knowledge of Alternating Current (AC) Theory
Ability to manage engineering projects
Possession of good report writing skills
Willingness to work with close supervision
Ability to modify electrical and electronic equipment
Possession of computer assisted design (CAD) skills
Ability to design and conduct tests of engineered systems
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
Supply and Demand:
Job market for Electrical Engineers: employers report it “Not Difficult” finding qualified, Experienced and Inexperienced applicants, resulting in a very competitive job search for job seekers.
Recruitment Methods, Most Frequently Used:
Word of Mouth, Internet, Newspapers, Employee Referrals, and Private Employment Agencies.
Turnover:
Very low: 1% in the last twelve months.
Size of 2006 Local Employment:
Medium: between 2,027 and 4,054.
Gender Representation:
Local employer response indicates 34% female, 66% male.
Older Worker Retirement:
Some (25%) firms report that older worker retirements over the next 10 years will affect their workforce.
To address the effects of older worker retirements, employers of this occupation would: groom or train a replacement ahead of time, 25%.
Few (6%) firms report that older workers would face employment obstacles in this occupation, such as the ability to learn new drafting software.
Where the Jobs Are:
Aircraft and Parts Manufacturers
Computers and Data Processing Services
Computers and Office Equipment Manufacturers
Engineering Services
Equipment Manufacturers
Local, State, and Federal Governments
Research and Development Organizations
Temporary Placement Services
Employers' Employment Outlook:
16 employers responded, providing data representing 212 employees for this occupation.
Seven employers project employment to grow and nine expect it to remain stable over the next twelve months.
Annual Job Growth Projections for San Diego County:
| Average annual new jobs: | 40 |
| Average annual replacement jobs: | 39 |
| Average annual total openings: | 79 |
New Job Growth Rate 2002 to 2012:
19.4% projected growth is faster than the countywide average of 14.7%.
OTHER INFORMATION
Career Ladder/Promotional Opportunities:
Promote from: Junior Designer and Junior Engineer.
Promote to: Project Engineer, Project Manager, Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer, and Partner.
Ex-Offender Employment:
No responding employers would consider hiring an ex-offender.
Alternate Job Titles:
None reported.
Related Codes:
MOC O1B, 32E1E, 32E3E, and 62E1E.
Data Collection Date:
Fall 2006