Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Also called: Design Engineer, Integrated Circuit Design Engineer (IC Design Engineer), Product Engineer, Test EngineerResearch, 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.
On a phone, press and hold a picture to save it to Photos.
opens your phone's share sheet, where you can save both to Photos
What the data says: AI could halve the time on 14 of its 20 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 3.7% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
BLS figures cover the broader occupation “Electronics engineers, except computer”, which includes this one and others.
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 1.7% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Electrical and electronics engineers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 36% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.5.4 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $120,720 | $94,710 to $155,520 | 1,940 |
| Alaska | $106,810 | $102,890 to $130,510 | 180 |
| Arizona | $118,120 | $89,670 to $159,740 | 2,100 |
| Arkansas | $109,830 | $79,450 to $120,370 | 150 |
| California | $160,520 | $125,040 to $202,730 | 20,830 |
| Colorado | $127,010 | $100,580 to $159,940 | 6,080 |
| Connecticut | $106,040 | $87,940 to $139,240 | 1,130 |
| District of Columbia | $157,040 | $139,950 to $195,190 | 400 |
| Florida | $116,860 | $97,280 to $137,510 | 5,280 |
| Georgia | $123,010 | $94,790 to $157,560 | 2,630 |
| Hawaii | $126,690 | $101,680 to $143,020 | 310 |
| Idaho | $102,770 | $95,060 to $128,560 | 500 |
| Illinois | $129,390 | $104,450 to $161,580 | 960 |
| Indiana | $112,200 | $93,330 to $136,990 | 1,420 |
| Iowa | $81,330 | $73,890 to $94,910 | 350 |
| Kansas | $103,740 | $94,080 to $128,970 | 770 |
| Kentucky | $101,860 | $77,370 to $127,610 | 860 |
| Louisiana | $100,390 | $92,600 to $127,940 | 450 |
| Maine | $127,490 | $103,710 to $151,180 | not published |
| Maryland | $155,650 | $127,420 to $185,220 | 3,390 |
| Massachusetts | $138,230 | $110,080 to $171,540 | 5,910 |
| Michigan | $127,200 | $102,310 to $132,830 | 2,960 |
| Minnesota | $112,390 | $94,550 to $155,000 | 1,200 |
| Mississippi | $112,400 | $90,840 to $128,120 | 160 |
| Missouri | $117,630 | $102,220 to $145,120 | 740 |
| Montana | $93,380 | $81,610 to $114,810 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $91,140 | $69,650 to $126,170 | 250 |
| Nevada | $116,180 | $82,330 to $133,470 | 360 |
| New Hampshire | $105,190 | $89,530 to $142,840 | 320 |
| New Jersey | $158,730 | $120,480 to $197,670 | 1,820 |
| New Mexico | $136,990 | $109,490 to $168,110 | 1,110 |
| New York | $119,180 | $98,440 to $137,300 | 2,220 |
| North Carolina | $115,920 | $94,280 to $160,700 | 2,090 |
| North Dakota | $104,860 | $99,950 to $126,030 | 50 |
| Ohio | $118,830 | $99,860 to $141,690 | 3,240 |
| Oklahoma | $109,120 | $93,100 to $133,140 | 1,410 |
| Oregon | $124,400 | $99,700 to $167,970 | 1,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $121,260 | $93,880 to $141,090 | 1,440 |
| Puerto Rico | $81,790 | $79,010 to $101,250 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $136,360 | $111,450 to $155,150 | 970 |
| South Carolina | $113,720 | $92,750 to $136,990 | 1,030 |
| South Dakota | $84,150 | $76,270 to $102,840 | 190 |
| Tennessee | $122,920 | $103,580 to $136,050 | 740 |
| Texas | $132,220 | $101,110 to $168,400 | 9,520 |
| Utah | $128,430 | $101,370 to $155,880 | 1,570 |
| Vermont | $86,180 | $76,640 to $120,840 | 70 |
| Virginia | $119,990 | $101,400 to $154,420 | 3,280 |
| Washington | $130,270 | $102,150 to $168,280 | 1,950 |
| West Virginia | $120,170 | $99,010 to $123,770 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $93,710 | $76,820 to $125,220 | 360 |
| Wyoming | $95,910 | $79,750 to $111,460 | 110 |
Nationally: $130,220. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 14 of its 20 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks. | Not published |
| AI alone | Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products. | Not published |
| Not much | Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems. | Not published |
| Not much | Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | 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. | 0.02% |
| AI + software | Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications. | 0.01% |
See all 20 tasks
| Not much | Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems. | Not published |
| Not much | Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems. | Not published |
| AI alone | Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards. | 0.12% |
| AI + software | Analyze electronics system requirements, capacity, cost, or customer needs to determine project feasibility. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Prepare, review, or maintain maintenance schedules, design documentation, or operational reports or charts. | 0.01% |
| AI alone | Determine project material or equipment needs. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Inspect electronic equipment, instruments, products, or systems to ensure conformance to specifications, safety standards, or applicable codes or regulations. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare necessary criteria, procedures, reports, or plans for successful conduct of the project with consideration given to site preparation, facility validation, installation, quality assurance, or testing. | 0.02% |
| Not much | Prepare engineering sketches or specifications for construction, relocation, or installation of equipment, facilities, products, or systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan or develop applications or modifications for electronic properties used in components, products, or systems to improve technical performance. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Prepare budget or cost estimates for equipment, construction, or installation projects or control expenditures. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Represent employer at conferences, meetings, boards, panels, committees, or working groups to present, explain, or defend findings or recommendations, negotiate compromises or agreements, or exchange information. | Not published |
| AI alone | Research or develop new green electronics technologies, such as lighting, optical data storage devices, or energy efficient televisions. | Not published |
| AI alone | Investigate green consumer electronics applications for consumer electronic devices, power saving devices for computers or televisions, or energy efficient power chargers. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 10 of the 20 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 20 tasks fall under 23 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- #13 Operate computer systems or computerized equipment
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- and 5 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research technology designs or applications | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Design electrical or electronic systems or equipment | |||
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Operate computer systems or computerized equipment | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Evaluate the characteristics, usefulness, or performance of products or technologies | |||
| Communicate with others about specifications or project details |
Show all 23 activities
| Advise others on products or services | |||
| Advise others on the design or use of technologies | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Develop technical specifications for products or operations | |||
| Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data | |||
| Advise others on business or operational matters | |||
| Determine resource needs of projects or operations | |||
| Schedule operational activities | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities | |||
| Manage budgets or finances | |||
| Inspect completed work or finished products | |||
| Test characteristics of materials or products | |||
| Coordinate activities with clients, agencies, or organizations | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer38%
- A document or report23%
- Advice or a recommendation11%
- A chart or visualization6%
- A plan or strategy4%
How they worked with Claude
48% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for electronics engineers, except computer specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 22,247 moves out
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
- 2 Electrical Engineers High +9.9% 6%
- 3 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 6%
- 4 Architectural and Engineering Managers High +5.5% 5%
- 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
Where people moved in from
of 24,195 moves in
- 1 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 3 Electrical Engineers High +9.9% 5%
- 4 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 5%
- 5 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 14% associate's
- 83% bachelor's
- 3% master's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 16 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 1% less than high school
- 5% high school
- 6% some college
- 6% associate's
- 52% bachelor's
- 25% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 4% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Electrical and electronics engineers” · 3,091 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Electrical and electronics engineers”
3 programs: Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering and Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/17-2072.00