Career Definition for a Communications Engineer
Employers look to communications engineers to help prepare and maintain communications systems. Expected duties include designing, developing, installing and testing system equipment and implementing procedures to make all components operational. As a result of an ever-increasing demand for broadband service, more professionals within this field work with Internet technology.
| Education | Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering recommended |
| Job Skills | Problem solving, adaptable to change, detail orientation, troubleshooting |
| Median Salary (2023)* | $79,178 for entry-level electronics engineers |
| Job Growth (2021-2031)** | 6% for electronics engineers |
Source: *Salary.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
The field of electrical engineering strongly focuses on communications technology; consequently, electrical engineering certificate and degree programs are more common than programs devoted specifically to communications engineering. A bachelor's or master's degree gives a job seeker an advantage over a certificate alone. A typical academic program includes courses on digital communications, systems design and analysis, digital imaging and computer hardware and software. Students also complete practical education in the field through cooperative education programs. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that electrical engineering programs should be accredited by the ABET.
Skills Required
A communications engineer is adept at solving problems. He or she needs to be proficient with the tools and equipment of the profession, and adaptable to change in a field known for continuously developing technology. Communications engineers should also be detail-oriented to work with complex components and systems and understand math principles to design and troubleshoot electrical components.
Career and Economic Outlook
For individuals with a bachelor's degree in electronics and communications engineering, the entry-level median salary for an electronics engineer was $79,178 as of February 2023, according to Salary.com. Despite an anticipated demand for more electronic goods, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 6% average employment growth in the U.S. for electronics engineers over the 2021-2031 decade due to intense foreign competition.
Alternate Career Options
Check out some other options below in engineering and electronics:
Sales Engineer
With a bachelor's degree in engineering, along with a technical understanding of certain services and products, these engineers sell complicated technological and scientific services and products to businesses. The BLS revealed their median annual salary as $103,710 in 2021 and predicted average employment growth of 6% during the 2021-2031 decade for sales engineers.
Electrician
Usually learning their skills through an apprenticeship, electricians are required to be licensed in most states, in order to install communications equipment, lighting and electrical power in businesses and houses. With good employment prospects expected between 2021 and 2031, electricians were predicted to see average job growth of 7% by the BLS. The annual median wage among these professionals was $60,040 in 2021.
