Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-2072 · O*NET 17-2072.00
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.
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Electronics Engineers, Except Computer earn a median salary of $127,590 per year, ranking in the top 5% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do electronics engineers, except computer earn?
The median annual wage for electronics engineers, except computer is $127,590. That puts electronics engineers, except computer at #40 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $79,390 |
| 25th percentile | $98,920 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $127,590 |
| 75th percentile | $164,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,060 |
| Median hourly wage | $61.34/hr |
Is electronics engineers, except computer a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for electronics engineers, except computer is +6.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 95K positions in 2024 to 101K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What do electronics engineers, except computer do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working electronics engineers, except computer, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Evaluate project work to ensure effectiveness, technical adequacy, or compatibility in the resolution of complex electronics engineering problems.
- 2.Confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential electronics engineering projects or products.
- 3.Develop or perform operational, maintenance, or testing procedures for electronic products, components, equipment, or systems.
- 4.Inspect electronic equipment, instruments, products, or systems to ensure conformance to specifications, safety standards, or applicable codes or regulations.
- 5.Determine project material or equipment needs.
- 6.Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
- 7.Direct or coordinate activities concerned with manufacture, construction, installation, maintenance, operation, or modification of electronic equipment, products, or systems.
- 8.Provide technical support or instruction to staff or customers regarding electronics equipment standards.
Top skills for electronics engineers, except computer
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become electronics engineers, except computer?
The standard path into electronics engineers, except computer begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about electronics engineers, except computer
What is the median salary for electronics engineers, except computer?
The median annual salary for electronics engineers, except computer is $127,590 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is electronics engineers, except computer a growing career?
BLS projects +6.2% growth for electronics engineers, except computer from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become electronics engineers, except computer?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to electronics engineers, except computer?
Related occupations within the Architecture and Engineering category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.