Electrical Engineer
Design and maintain electrical systems - from circuits to power grids.
This UK electrical engineer career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,000 - £36,000
- Mid-career salary
- £40,000 - £58,000
- Senior salary
- £65,000 - £95,000
- Work environment
- Office, lab, or site
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 Years
- Degree required
- Electrical engineering degree typical
- Category
- Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure
What a Electrical Engineer does
Design and maintain electrical systems - from circuits to power grids.
- Power Systems Engineer - Design and maintain electricity transmission and distribution.
- Controls Engineer - Program PLCs and automation systems in factories.
How to become a Electrical Engineer
- Look up Electrical Engineer roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Electrical Engineer - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Circuit analysis
- Maths
- CAD
- Standards knowledge