What Can You Do With a Master's in Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineers contribute to the creation and improvement of a variety of critical technologies, ranging from integrated circuits in various electronic products to power generation, transmission, and distribution technical systems. Electrical engineers have several specialisation options because their profession encompasses such a large range of potential issues and projects, and they may end up working in industries as diverse as telecommunications, renewable energy, automotive, and consumer electronics.

A master's degree in electrical engineering could lead to more chances and higher pay. A master's degree in engineering can pay off for some professionals, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with average income premiums of up to 13% over those with only a bachelor's degree. Certain occupations, such as senior systems engineer, solution architect, engineering group manager, and controls engineers, are often only available to master's degree holders or pay master's degree holders much higher salaries.

If you're thinking about taking the next step in your electrical engineering career, an online Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) might be a good option, as it offers a rigorous curriculum and a lot of flexibility, which is perfect for working professionals. Let's take a look at what the electrical engineering sector as a whole might expect in the near future, as well as what careers you can pursue after getting your UCR MSE.

The outlook for electrical engineering

Between 2016 and 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 7% increase in total employment for electrical and electronics engineers, which is about average for all professions. Many of the new engineering jobs produced during this time will be at engineering services organisations, as electronic gadgets and systems are likely to drive much of this growth.

An electrical engineering career normally begins with an undergraduate degree from an ABET-accredited college. Completing a master's degree will provide you more knowledge, which may convert into the qualifications you need for specialised jobs and maybe higher pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for electrical and electronic engineers in 2018 was more than $99,000.

Furthermore, the site's summary of electrical engineer salaries predicted a 29 percent increase in earnings for experienced engineers and a 6 percent increase for demonstrable project management experience in particular — a key competency developed in programmes with a distinct managerial focus, such as the UCR MSE track, which is entirely online.

To fully appreciate the advantages of a master's degree in electrical engineering beyond a potentially better pay, it's necessary to examine the responsibilities of some of the field's more advanced roles and how masters-level training prepares students to handle them.

Engineering group manager

An engineering group manager has a supervisory function and is responsible for a variety of responsibilities, including:

1. Recruiting and training employees
2. Project coordination for research and development
3. Examining staff approaches and practises
4. The lifespan of new items is being planned.
5. Budgeting for projects and submitting them
6. Ensure that the engineering work on a project is of high quality.


These engineering professionals are classified as architectural and engineering managers by the BLS, with a median compensation of over $140,000 in 2018.

All electrical engineering students in the UCR MSE take four core courses — Engineering in the Global Environment, Technology Innovation and Strategy for Engineers, Introduction to Systems Engineering, and Principles of Engineering Management — that provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in this field. These classes include topics including promoting productive team cooperation and managing the technical parts of each project.