Electrical engineers
SOC Code: 17-2071
Electrical engineers carries a 39% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $111,910 and +7.2% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 192,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 39% AI exposure, Electrical engineers sits 2 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 67% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Electrical engineers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Electrical engineers has ai exposure of 39%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Electrical engineers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Electrical engineers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071) carries an AI exposure score of 39%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 192,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +7.2% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $111,910, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Electrical engineers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available
Electrical engineers is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train, apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- 2. Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- 3. Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- 4. Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- 5. Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- 6. Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
- 7. Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
- 8. Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
- 9. Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational, safety, or environmental standards.
- 10. Investigate customer or public complaints to determine the nature and extent of problems.
Key Skills Required
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Complex Problem Solving
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Design
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Electrical engineers?
Electrical engineers has an AI exposure score of 39%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Electrical engineers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Electrical engineers is projected to grow by 7.2% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 192,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Electrical engineers?
Key skills for Electrical engineers include Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Electrical engineers earn?
The median annual wage for Electrical engineers is $111,910, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Electrical engineers?
The typical entry-level education for Electrical engineers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Electrical engineers?
Electrical engineers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).