Architecture and Engineering

Electronics Engineer, Except Computer Salary (2026), outlook and how to become one

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties.

Median pay
$130,220
Growth to 2035
+3.7%
Openings a year
4,900
Typical entry
Bachelor's

The median pay for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer is $130,220 a year ($62.60/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.7% through 2035, with about 4,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

  • SOC 17-2072
  • Architecture and Engineering
  • Last updated October 9, 2026

At a glance

Electronics Engineer, Except Computer in four numbers

Median pay
$130,220a year, or $62.60/hr
Lowest 10% $82KTop 10% $207K

US median, all jobs: $50,980

BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected growth
+3.7%About as fast as average
This career
+3.7%
All jobs
+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035
ItemValue
This career+3.7%
All jobs+3.5%
BLS EP, 2025–2035
Openings a year
4,90098,200 jobs today
  • Jobs in 202598.2K
  • Projected 2035101.8K
Employment, 2025–2035
ItemValue
Jobs in 202598.2K
Projected 2035101.8K
BLS EP, 2025–2035
Typical education
Bachelor'sneeded to enter
  • Associate's13.8%
  • Bachelor's83.3%
  • Master's2.9%
Highest education held by electronics engineers, except computer
SegmentValue
Associate's13.8%
Bachelor's83.3%
Master's2.9%
BLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET

Also advertised as: Compatibility Test Engineer, Design Engineer, Electronics Design Engineer, Engineer, Evaluation Engineer, Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer).

Pay

How much do Electronics Engineers, Except Computer make?

Annual pay, lowest-paid to highest-paid

Every electronics engineer, except computer in the US, by percentile of annual wage

Median

$130,220

Middle half earn $101,680 to $167,670

10th
$81,840
25th
$101,680
75th
$167,670
90th
$206,960

All US occupations: $50,980

Electronics Engineer, Except Computer annual wages
PercentileValue
10th$81,840
25th$101,680
Median$130,220
75th$167,670
90th$206,960
All US occupations$50,980

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025

Median annual wage
$130,220
Median hourly wage
$62.60/hr
Mean annual wage
$137,280
People employed
96,900

Versus all US occupations

At $130,220, Electronics Engineers, Except Computer earn 155% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $79,240 a year.

Versus architecture and engineering occupations

Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 25% above the group median.

Pay range

The top 10% earn $206,960 or more while the bottom 10% earn $81,840, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.

Rank in the bank

This median pays more than 88% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.

Cost of living

California posts the highest raw median ($160,520), but once local prices are taken into account New Mexico leads at $148,560 in national-average dollars.

Pay by state

Which states pay Electronics Engineers, Except Computer the most?

State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.

Top 10 states by median annual wage for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
StateMedianCOL-adjustedEmployed
1California$160,520$144,97820,830
2New Jersey$158,730$145,8851,820
3District of Columbia$157,040$142,892400
4Maryland$155,650$148,2963,390
5Massachusetts$138,230$130,7055,910
6New Mexico$136,990$148,5601,110
7Rhode Island$136,360$133,320970
8Texas$132,220$136,2299,520
9Washington$130,270$121,7331,950
10Illinois$129,390$129,444960
See all 51 states, sortable, with cost-of-living adjustments

Job outlook

Is Electronics Engineer, Except Computer a growing career?

Projected change in jobs

Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
+3.7%
All US occupations
+3.5%

About as fast as average. +3.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.

Projected employment change, 2025–2035
ItemValue
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer+3.7%
All US occupations+3.5%

Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035

About as fast as average

BLS projects employment of Electronics Engineers, Except Computer to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,600 more jobs.

Annual openings

About 4,900 openings are projected each year, 5.0% of the 98,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.

Overall employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment growth is expected as companies increasingly utilize the expertise of engineers for projects involving electrical and electronic devices, systems, and infrastructure. These engineers are expected to have key roles in developing sophisticated consumer electronics, solar arrays, semiconductors, and communications technologies.

Getting in

How to become an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer

Electrical and electronics engineers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field. Employers also value practical experience, such as internships or participation in cooperative engineering programs.

  1. 1

    Typical entry-level education

    Bachelor's degree

  2. 2

    Work experience in a related occupation

    None

  3. 3

    Typical on-the-job training

    None

  4. 4

    Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)

    Medium preparation

BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.

What education people in the job have

O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electronics engineers, except computer.

  • Bachelor's Degree83.3%
  • Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.8%
  • Master's Degree2.9%
Highest education held by electronics engineers, except computer
ItemValue
Bachelor's Degree83.3%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.8%
Master's Degree2.9%

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database

Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry

The work

What does an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer do?

Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, and test electrical and electronic equipment, components, and systems.

Day-to-day tasks

  1. Prepare documentation containing information such as confidential descriptions or specifications of proprietary hardware or software, product development or introduction schedules, product costs, or information about product performance weaknesses.
  2. Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.
  3. Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
  4. Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
  5. Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
  6. Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
  7. Determine project material or equipment needs.
  8. Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.

O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.

Working conditions and hours

Most electrical and electronics engineers work full time.

Where the work happens

  • Indoors, climate-controlled

    NeverEvery day
  • Outdoors in all weather

    NeverEvery day

    Almost never works outdoors.

Physical demands

  • Sitting

    NeverAlmost all the time

    Seated for more than half the working day.

  • Standing

    NeverAlmost all the time
  • Bending or twisting

    NeverAlmost all the time

Working with people

  • Contact with other people

    NoneConstant
  • Face-to-face discussions

    NeverEvery day

    Face-to-face discussions every day.

  • Dealing with the public

    Not importantExtremely important

Pressure and stakes

  • Strict deadlines

    NeverEvery day
  • Conflict situations

    NeverEvery day
  • Cost of a mistake

    Not seriousExtremely serious

Autonomy

  • Freedom to decide

    NoneA lot

    A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.

Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.

Where electronics engineers, except computer work

Share of jobs by employer type

  • Engineering services22%
  • Electric power generation, transmission and distribution10%
  • Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences5%
  • Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing5%
  • Aerospace product and parts manufacturing5%
Largest employers of Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
ItemValue
Engineering services22%
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution10%
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences5%
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing5%
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing5%

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition

Core skills

O*NET importance, 1 to 5

  • Reading Comprehension4.0
  • Critical Thinking4.0
  • Speaking3.9
  • Active Listening3.8
  • Writing3.5
  • Mathematics3.5
  • Monitoring3.4
  • Active Learning3.1
Core skills for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
ItemValue
Reading Comprehension4.0
Critical Thinking4.0
Speaking3.9
Active Listening3.8
Writing3.5
Mathematics3.5
Monitoring3.4
Active Learning3.1

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database

Transferable skills

O*NET importance, 1 to 5

  • Complex Problem Solving4.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.8
  • Systems Analysis3.8
  • Systems Evaluation3.4
  • Operations Analysis3.3
  • Quality Control Analysis3.1
  • Coordination3.0
  • Instructing3.0
Transferable skills for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
ItemValue
Complex Problem Solving4.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.8
Systems Analysis3.8
Systems Evaluation3.4
Operations Analysis3.3
Quality Control Analysis3.1
Coordination3.0
Instructing3.0

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database

Tools and software

  • Analytical or scientific software · in demand
  • Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
  • Data base user interface and query software · in demand
  • Development environment software · in demand
  • Enterprise application integration software · in demand
  • File versioning software · in demand
  • Geographic information system · in demand
  • Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
  • Object or component oriented development software · in demand
  • Office suite software · in demand
  • Operating system software · in demand
  • Presentation software · in demand

“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.

Personality fit

What personality type suits an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer?

Interest profile

O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7

Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Realistic: 6Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Investigative: 6Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Artistic: 2Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Social: 2Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Enterprising: 2Electronics Engineer, Except Computer · Conventional: 5
Electronics Engineer, Except Computer interest profile
AxisElectronics Engineer, Except Computer
Realistic6
Investigative6
Artistic2
Social2
Enterprising2
Conventional5

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database

What the work is built around

Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.

  • Realistic6.2
  • Investigative5.8
  • Conventional4.7
  • Artistic2.0
  • Enterprising1.6
  • Social1.6

Closest MBTI types

NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.

Questions

Electronics Engineer, Except Computer: frequently asked questions

How much do Electronics Engineers, Except Computer make?

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer earn a median of $130,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 155% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $62.60/hr. The middle half earn between $101,680 and $167,670. The top 10% earn $206,960 or more.

Do you need a degree to become an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer?

Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 83.3% hold bachelor's degree.

Is Electronics Engineer, Except Computer a growing career?

It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.7% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.

What does an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer do?

Electrical and electronics engineers design, develop, and test electrical and electronic equipment, components, and systems. A core O*NET task: prepare documentation containing information such as confidential descriptions or specifications of proprietary hardware or software, product development or introduction schedules, product costs, or information about product performance weaknesses. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.

Which states pay Electronics Engineers, Except Computer the most?

The highest state medians for Electronics Engineers, Except Computer are California ($160,520), New Jersey ($158,730), District of Columbia ($157,040) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, New Mexico moves to the top at $148,560.

What personality type suits an Electronics Engineer, Except Computer?

O*NET scores Electronics Engineers, Except Computer highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.