Occupations · Architecture and Engineering
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
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.
O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-2072.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 79% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $136,040 | 5,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $138,200 | 5,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $179,050 | 4,800 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $130,780 | 4,340 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $129,180 | 3,770 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $153,110 | 3,690 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $109,020 | 2,520 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $145,480 | 2,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 | 2,110 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $149,410 | 2,080 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $136,660 | 1,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $160,180 | 1,610 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: Bachelor's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- Design electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
- Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
- Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.
- Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
- Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards.
- Recommend repair or design modifications of electronics components or systems, based on factors such as environment, service, cost, or system capabilities.
- 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.
- 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.
- Plan or develop applications or modifications for electronic properties used in components, products, or systems to improve technical performance.
- Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
- Analyze electronics system requirements, capacity, cost, or customer needs to determine project feasibility.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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What changed since 2015
Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.
Now listed 12
No longer listed 4
Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.
Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| electronics engineer | 2152.1 | exact |
| electromagnetic engineer | 2151.1.2 | close |
| sensor engineer | 2152.1.10 | broader |
| electronics engineering technician | 3114.1 | broader |
| integrated circuit design engineer | 2152.1.6.1 | broader |
| microelectronics engineer | 2152.1.6 | broader |
| sensor engineering technician | 3114.1.9 | broader |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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