Electrical Engineer Salary: Your 2024 Guide

Electrical engineers are technical professionals who work with electricity in a wide range of industries. They might develop a power and generation system or design a tiny microchip. Since electricity powers many of our practical devices today, this career could see you working with motors, batteries, control systems, radio frequency (RF) systems, telecommunications, remote sensing, signal processing, digital circuits, instrumentation, audio, video, and optoelectronics. The career path has many specialisations, but you can expect different salary options. 

How much do electrical engineers make?

In India, the annual median salary for electrical engineers is ₹2,92,114, according to Indeed, as of March 2024 [1]. Yet, an electrical engineer's salary can vary depending on several factors we’ll discuss next. 

Factors affecting salary

Many factors determine what you can expect to earn as an electrical engineer. You can compare experience, education, industry, city, and company factors. From there, it’s also possible to negotiate with potential employers—especially if you have any specialised skills they seek. 

Education

Most professional electrical engineers earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical or electronics engineering. According to the Economic Research Institute, 62 percent of electrical engineers in India have at least a bachelor’s degree. Another 25 percent have a master’s and an additional 4 percent have a doctorate [2]

Earning a master’s or graduate degree in electrical engineering will typically open up opportunities to work at some universities or in research and development positions. Engineering professors make an average of ₹4,81,224 a year [3].

Certifications

In India, two bodies offer certification as a Professional Engineer (PE).  After earning a bachelor’s degree and acquiring five years of experience, you can apply for the Institute of Engineers of India’s (IEI) certification. The PE certification can help you earn more as you will have proven you are educated and experienced and have continuously developed in your profession. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for a certified professional engineer is ₹4,94,000 [4]. 

A second option is the Engineering Council of India’s (ECI) certification for Professional Engineers, Associate Professional Engineers, or Student Engineers.  

Level of experience 

Electrical engineer's average annual salaries typically reflect your level of experience. Based on salary data reported to AmbitionBox, here are the average annual salaries for electrical engineers based on years of experience [5]:

• 1 year: ₹2,60,000 per annum

• 2 years: ₹3,00,000 per annum

• 3 years: ₹3,30,000 per annum

• 4 years: ₹3,80,000 per annum

• 5 years: ₹4,10,000 per annum

• 6 years: ₹4,50,000 per annum

• 7 years: ₹5,10,000 per annum

• 8 years: ₹5,60,000 per annum

• 9 years: ₹6,30,000 per annum

• 10 years: ₹6,70,000 per annum

After years of working in electrical engineering, you may be qualified to work as an electrical engineering manager. These professionals are tasked with planning, directing, and coordinating activities of engineering teams, earning more. The average salary of electrical engineers in management positions in India is ₹12,06,986 per year  [6]. 

Industry

Electrical engineers can work in many industries, including:

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Chemical

• Construction

• Defense

• Electronics

• Consumer goods

• Marine

• Materials and metals

• Oil and gas

• Pharmaceuticals

• Power generation

• Rail

• Telecommunications

• Utilities

Corporations, nonprofit organisations, and governmental agencies also require electrical engineers as employees. 

While supply and demand play a role in determining which industry pays the most for electrical engineers, a 2020 report found that computer hardware engineers, artificial intelligence engineers, and electrical circuit engineers tend to make more money [7].

Company

Another critical variable determining electrical engineers' salaries is the company's size. Smaller companies tend to pay less than larger corporations because larger corporations often have a positive balance sheet that allows for flexibility in pay structure. Employers can also pay employees more if the company is more stable.

Plus, a larger company is more likely to have formalised performance reviews that can allow for annual increases. When considering companies, look beyond the initial salary offer. You may have opportunities to earn more once you’ve shown your worth. 

Location

Due to the cost of living variables and the location of top-paying companies, the salary for electrical engineering work can vary by place. According to Indeed, as of March 2024, the highest-paying locations in India include [1]:

• Gurgaon, Haryana: ₹3,14,193 per annum

• Indore, Madhya Pradesh: ₹2,95,349 per annum

• Delhi, Delhi: ₹3,26,005 per annum

• Bengaluru, Karnataka: ₹3,48,713 per annum

• Mumbai, Maharashtra: ₹3,18,748 per annum

• Bharuch, Gujarat: ₹2,61,882 per annum

• Hyderabad, Telangana: ₹3,20,747 per annum

• Chennai, Tamil Nadu: ₹2,97,764 per annum

Job title variations

Different jobs within the electrical engineering career path also pay differently. Your job title sometimes determines your salary. Some examples of average salaries from Indeed as of March 2024 include:

• Controls engineer: ₹2,95,482

• Project engineer: ₹3,54,304

• Test engineer: ₹4,97,578

• Design engineer: ₹3,26,956

• Communications engineer: ₹3,69,585

• Systems engineer: ₹4,33,645

• Aeronautical engineer: ₹4,04,685

• Electronics engineer: ₹2,47,740

Electrical engineer salary: Next steps

To become an electrical engineer, you must complete a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited college or university. In the meantime, augment your resume by developing specific skill sets to set you apart from the competition. An online course can also help you determine what interests you most to focus your training, education, and experience on an enjoyable and lucrative career. 

For example, Energy Production, Distribution, and Safety, a Specialisation course on Coursera, may establish the foundation for a job in the energy industry. Introduction to Electronics can provide you with the basics of electronics to prepare you for more in-depth work. After your bachelor's degree, you can also earn a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.