Electrical Engineers

Description
Work Activities
Abilities
Interests
Knowledge
Wages
Skills
Work Values
Work Styles
Related Degrees
Work Context
Task Ratings
Education

Job Description: Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Electrical Engineers spend a lot of their time Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge. They are naturally good at Oral Expression, Written Comprehension, Oral Comprehension, and Written Expression. Electrical Engineers are typically characterized as being Investigative and Realistic. They are usually very knowledgable about Engineering and Technology, Design, and Mathematics and are skilled at Reading Comprehension and Writing.

Does this career sound like a good fit for you? If so, the next step may be to finish your education. There are many online and oncampus degrees offered in:

Universities.com can help you find the right school to start you on a path to your dream job.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Thinking Creatively

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Processing Information

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Analyzing Data or Information

Getting Information

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Interacting With Computers

Documenting/Recording Information

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Scheduling Work and Activities

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Developing Objectives and Strategies

Developing and Building Teams

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Performing Administrative Activities

Training and Teaching Others

Coaching and Developing Others

Controlling Machines and Processes

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Selling or Influencing Others

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Handling and Moving Objects

Assisting and Caring for Others

Performing General Physical Activities

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Staffing Organizational Units

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Abilities

Oral Expression

Written Comprehension

Oral Comprehension

Written Expression

Inductive Reasoning

Deductive Reasoning

Problem Sensitivity

Mathematical Reasoning

Information Ordering

Originality

Number Facility

Category Flexibility

Fluency of Ideas

Speech Clarity

Near Vision

Speech Recognition

Flexibility of Closure

Visualization

Far Vision

Selective Attention

Visual Color Discrimination

Finger Dexterity

Perceptual Speed

Time Sharing

Arm-Hand Steadiness

Memorization

Manual Dexterity

Auditory Attention

Control Precision

Hearing Sensitivity

Depth Perception

Speed of Closure

Interests

Investigative

Realistic

Conventional

Enterprising

Artistic

Social

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

Design

Mathematics

Computers and Electronics

Physics

Mechanical

Administration and Management

English Language

Clerical

Building and Construction

Public Safety and Security

Customer and Personal Service

Education and Training

Chemistry

Telecommunications

Production and Processing

Law and Government

Transportation

Sales and Marketing

Communications and Media

Geography

Economics and Accounting

Personnel and Human Resources

Psychology

Philosophy and Theology

Sociology and Anthropology

Biology

Wages

Alaska

$106,040

Massachusetts

$100,450

California

$96,640

District of Columbia

$96,280

Arizona

$92,900

Oregon

$90,510

Nevada

$88,860

Maryland

$88,760

Delaware

$88,720

Rhode Island

$88,690

Maine

$88,510

Louisiana

$87,440

Idaho

$87,210

New Hampshire

$87,180

Washington

$86,890

Virginia

$86,260

Texas

$86,090

Illinois

$83,860

Tennessee

$83,700

Georgia

$83,620

Alabama

$83,260

New Mexico

$83,240

Missouri

$83,100

New Jersey

$82,920

Hawaii

$82,660

Colorado

$82,630

New York

$81,920

Connecticut

$81,920

Minnesota

$81,730

South Carolina

$81,580

West Virginia

$81,290

Arkansas

$80,710

Pennsylvania

$80,470

Vermont

$79,400

Michigan

$78,900

Nebraska

$78,750

North Carolina

$77,930

Florida

$77,770

Utah

$77,480

Kansas

$76,120

Indiana

$76,070

Kentucky

$74,600

Wisconsin

$74,480

Oklahoma

$73,870

Ohio

$73,490

Iowa

$73,360

North Dakota

$71,860

Mississippi

$71,460

South Dakota

$66,730

Montana

$66,670

Puerto Rico

$65,450

Wyoming

$60,930

Guam

$59,530

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Writing

Critical Thinking

Complex Problem Solving

Mathematics

Active Listening

Speaking

Time Management

Coordination

Monitoring

Operations Analysis

Science

Systems Evaluation

Social Perceptiveness

Operation Monitoring

Instructing

Active Learning

Troubleshooting

Systems Analysis

Judgment and Decision Making

Management of Personnel Resources

Quality Control Analysis

Service Orientation

Learning Strategies

Persuasion

Negotiation

Repairing

Equipment Maintenance

Equipment Selection

Technology Design

Management of Financial Resources

Management of Material Resources

Programming

Work Values

Achievement

Working Conditions

Recognition

Independence

Relationships

Support

Work Styles

Attention to Detail

Analytical Thinking

Dependability

Persistence

Integrity

Initiative

Cooperation

Adaptability/Flexibility

Independence

Stress Tolerance

Leadership

Achievement/Effort

Innovation

Self Control

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Related University Degree Programs

Work Context

Electronic Mail

Telephone

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Face-to-Face Discussions

Work With Work Group or Team

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Contact With Others

Freedom to Make Decisions

Structured versus Unstructured Work

Spend Time Sitting

Time Pressure

Letters and Memos

Coordinate or Lead Others

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

Frequency of Decision Making

Deal With External Customers

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

Consequence of Error

Level of Competition

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Physical Proximity

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Duration of Typical Work Week

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Degree of Automation

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Public Speaking

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Exposed to Contaminants

Spend Time Standing

Spend Time Walking and Running

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Outdoors, Under Cover

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Exposed to High Places

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

Work Schedules

Exposed to Radiation

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

Exposed to Disease or Infections

-40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week

-A lot of freedom-

Freedom to Make Decisions

Structured versus Unstructured Work

-About half the time-

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Spend Time Standing

Spend Time Walking and Running

Spend Time Sitting

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

-Completely automated-

Degree of Automation

-Constant contact with others-

Contact With Others

-Contact with others about half the time-

Contact With Others

-Contact with others most of the time-

Contact With Others

-Continually or almost continually-

Spend Time Sitting

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

Spend Time Walking and Running

Spend Time Standing

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

-Every day-

Electronic Mail

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Telephone

Face-to-Face Discussions

Letters and Memos

Frequency of Decision Making

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Time Pressure

Exposed to Contaminants

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

Exposed to Radiation

Public Speaking

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Exposed to Disease or Infections

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Exposed to High Places

Outdoors, Under Cover

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

-Extremely competitive-

Level of Competition

-Extremely important-

Work With Work Group or Team

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Coordinate or Lead Others

Deal With External Customers

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

-Extremely serious-

Consequence of Error

-Fairly important-

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Deal With External Customers

Coordinate or Lead Others

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Work With Work Group or Team

-Fairly serious-

Consequence of Error

-High responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

-Highly automated-

Degree of Automation

-Highly competitive-

Level of Competition

-I don't work near other people (beyond 100 ft.)-

Physical Proximity

-I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office)-

Physical Proximity

-Important-

Coordinate or Lead Others

Deal With External Customers

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Work With Work Group or Team

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

-Important results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

-Irregular (changes with weather conditions, production demands, or contract duration)-

Work Schedules

-Less than 40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week

-Less than half the time-

Spend Time Walking and Running

Spend Time Standing

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

Spend Time Sitting

-Limited freedom-

Freedom to Make Decisions

Structured versus Unstructured Work

-Limited responsibility-

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

-Minor results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

-Moderate responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

-Moderate results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

-Moderately automated-

Degree of Automation

-Moderately close (at arm's length)-

Physical Proximity

-Moderately competitive-

Level of Competition

-More than 40 hours-

Duration of Typical Work Week

-More than half the time-

Spend Time Sitting

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Spend Time Standing

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

Spend Time Walking and Running

-Never-

Exposed to Disease or Infections

Exposed to Radiation

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Exposed to High Places

Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Outdoors, Under Cover

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Exposed to Contaminants

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Public Speaking

Spend Time Standing

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Spend Time Walking and Running

Letters and Memos

Telephone

Spend Time Sitting

Time Pressure

Face-to-Face Discussions

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Frequency of Decision Making

Electronic Mail

-No contact with others-

Contact With Others

-No freedom-

Freedom to Make Decisions

Structured versus Unstructured Work

-No responsibility-

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

-No results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

-Not at all automated-

Degree of Automation

-Not at all competitive-

Level of Competition

-Not important at all-

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Deal With External Customers

Work With Work Group or Team

Coordinate or Lead Others

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

-Not serious at all-

Consequence of Error

-Occasional contact with others-

Contact With Others

-Once a month or more but not every week-

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Frequency of Decision Making

Time Pressure

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Public Speaking

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Letters and Memos

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Exposed to Contaminants

Outdoors, Under Cover

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Face-to-Face Discussions

Exposed to High Places

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Telephone

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Electronic Mail

Exposed to Radiation

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

Exposed to Disease or Infections

-Once a week or more but not every day-

Time Pressure

Letters and Memos

Frequency of Decision Making

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Telephone

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Face-to-Face Discussions

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Outdoors, Under Cover

Exposed to Contaminants

Public Speaking

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

Exposed to High Places

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Exposed to Disease or Infections

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

Electronic Mail

Exposed to Radiation

-Once a year or more but not every month-

Public Speaking

Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

Outdoors, Under Cover

Exposed to Contaminants

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Frequency of Conflict Situations

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Exposed to High Places

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

Frequency of Decision Making

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment

Letters and Memos

Deal With Physically Aggressive People

In an Open Vehicle or Equipment

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

Exposed to Radiation

Time Pressure

Exposed to Disease or Infections

Face-to-Face Discussions

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Electronic Mail

Telephone

-Regular (established routine, set schedule)-

Work Schedules

-Seasonal (only during certain times of the year)-

Work Schedules

-Serious-

Consequence of Error

-Slightly automated-

Degree of Automation

-Slightly close (e.g., shared office)-

Physical Proximity

-Slightly competitive-

Level of Competition

-Some freedom-

Structured versus Unstructured Work

Freedom to Make Decisions

-Very close (near touching)-

Physical Proximity

-Very high responsibility-

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

-Very important-

Deal With External Customers

Coordinate or Lead Others

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Work With Work Group or Team

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

-Very important results-

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

-Very little freedom-

Structured versus Unstructured Work

Freedom to Make Decisions

-Very serious-

Consequence of Error

Task Ratings

- Importance Core-

Prepare and study technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, and topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.

Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.

Confer with engineers, customers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects and products.

Direct and coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, and testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and customer requirements.

Design, implement, maintain, and improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, and systems for commercial, industrial, and domestic purposes.

Prepare specifications for purchase of materials and equipment.

Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications.

Investigate customer or public complaints, determine nature and extent of problem, and recommend remedial measures.

Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time and within budget.

Plan and implement research methodology and procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.

Develop budgets, estimating labor, material, and construction costs.

Compile data and write reports regarding existing and potential engineering studies and projects.

Supervise and train project team members as necessary.

Investigate and test vendors' and competitors' products.

- Importance Supplemental-

Plan layout of electric power generating plants and distribution lines and stations.

Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards.

Conduct field surveys and study maps, graphs, diagrams, and other data to identify and correct power system problems.

Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment and major repairs.

Collect data relating to commercial and residential development, population, and power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.

- Relevance of Task Core-