Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Electronics engineers, except computer, work in a field that combines strong analytical skills with technology-focused problem solving. Nationally, about 96,000 people are employed in this occupation, and it offers a national median annual salary of $127,590, pointing to strong earning potential for qualified professionals. The role is supported by a projected employment growth rate of 6.2% and about 6,000 annual openings, indicating steady demand. Opportunities are particularly notable in several states and metro areas where both salaries and employment numbers are high. The work draws on critical and analytical thinking, computers and information technology, mathematics, science, and mechanical knowledge, along with creativity, communication, and project management. For students, career changers, and experienced engineers, this career offers a combination of technical depth and long-term stability, with a clear educational path and multiple geographic options for building a career.
The national median annual salary for electronics engineers, except computer, is $127,590, indicating strong compensation for professionals in this field. Salaries vary by location, with several states and metros offering notably higher median pay. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $160,520, followed by Washington at $130,270, Massachusetts at $138,230, Colorado at $127,010, and New York at $119,180. At the metro level, the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA area reports the highest median salary at $194,370, with San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $162,440 and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ at $144,930. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also offer median salaries at or above $140,000. These figures show significant earning potential, especially for those able to work in top-paying regions.
Electronics engineers, except computer, benefit from a solid employment outlook. National employment is 96,000, and the occupation is projected to grow by 6.2%. This projected growth, combined with about 6,000 annual openings, suggests a consistent flow of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals. The presence of the same 6.2% projected growth rate across multiple highlighted states and metro areas indicates a broadly steady demand rather than being concentrated in just one location. For individuals planning their careers, the combination of current employment, projected growth, and recurring annual openings points to an occupation with room for new talent over time. Those who build strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, computers and information technology, mathematics, and related areas are well-positioned to benefit from this demand as the labor market evolves.
Geography plays a significant role in opportunity for electronics engineers, except computer. Among states, California leads on several measures: a median salary of $160,520, employment of 20,830, and the highest opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also offer strong conditions, with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78 respectively and median salaries of $138,230 and $119,180. Colorado and Washington round out the top states, each combining five-figure employment or notable salaries with mid‑50s opportunity scores. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro has the highest median salary at $194,370 and the top opportunity score of 77.42. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ has a similar opportunity score of 77.27, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also show strong combinations of salary, employment, and opportunity.
The typical education level for electronics engineers, except computer, is a bachelor’s degree. This formal education provides a foundation for the wide-ranging skills that are important in the field. Key skills include critical and analytical thinking, computers and information technology, mathematics, science, and mechanical knowledge. These technical strengths are complemented by creativity and innovation, which support developing and improving solutions. Writing and reading skills, along with speaking and listening, are important for communicating technical information effectively. Project management and problem solving and decision making help engineers organize work, coordinate with others, and address complex challenges. For students planning their path, aiming for a bachelor’s degree that supports these capabilities is essential. Career changers and working professionals can use this skill profile as a guide for targeted upskilling and professional development to align more closely with the expectations of this occupation.
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