How Much Do Electrical Engineers Earn in the UK? (And How to Become One)

If you’re looking for a well paying job that combines technical understanding with creative problem solving, then electrical engineering may be the perfect path for you. The average electrical engineer salary in the UK is around £40K while some of the top earners make almost twice that much.

But how do you become an electrical engineer? What qualifications do you need? And how long will it take you to start earning a decent electrical engineer’s salary?

How to Become an Electrical Engineer

There are several paths to become an electrical engineer and before starting out, it’s important to pick the one that’s right for you.

The simplest path is to go to university and get an electrical engineering degree. If you’re coming straight out of school and don’t have any pressure to immediately find employment, then this may be the best option for you. You’ll learn in a structured setting and have access to resources you might not otherwise get.

You’ll also be surrounded by potential industry contacts – so you can start networking early – and you’ll be given a broader view of the field. If you’re not sure exactly what type of company you want to work for and you want to spend a few years finding your feet before you dive in, Uni is a good option.

But what if you need a job right away? Well, fortunately, university isn’t the only way to get an electrical engineering degree. In fact, depending on who you are and how you like to learn, it might not even be the best way.

For quite a while now, apprenticeships have been a very popular path for people studying electrical engineering. They allow you to learn on the job while studying for your degree. Not only is this far more financially accessible because you’ll be able to support yourself while studying, but it’s also a great way to learn through practical experience.

One common criticism of the university approach is that it can be disconnected from the real world. Even when universities incorporate work placement programs, many would argue that there’s just no substitute for the hands-on learning that comes when it’s your job.

Not only does an apprenticeship let you learn the job through doing the job, it also looks great on your CV, letting you jump ahead into better paying roles at a younger age.

On the other hand it’s very important to note the apprentices earn a lot less than the standard minimum wage. While you will be paid for the time you spend learning, you’ll effectively be working full time hours at a rate of only £7.55 an hour. While this is more sustainable than university, it can still be a financial barrier to some.

Becoming an Electrical Engineer Without A Degree

It’s worth noting that, in some cases, you can become an electrical engineer without a degree but it’s a hard path and often leads to lower income. If you start out as a technician, it is possible to work your way up through a company until you’re working an engineering position. That said this is highly dependent on the specific position and many companies will use your lack of a qualification as an excuse to pay you less. If you’re in a position where you can get a degree, then it is overwhelmingly worth doing so in the long run.

How Much do Entry Level Electrical Engineers Get Paid?

When you start your career, once you’ve been trained but before you have extensive real-world experience, you should look to be earning somewhere in the region of £28K – although this can vary a little based on your area.

It’s worth noting that the quantity and type of work you’re doing may vary a lot based on region. Some areas will have high demand while others not so much and you may even have to move for work if you want to earn the best rates. That said, in the UK, there is fairly high demand for electrical engineers across the board so if you’re looking for a career that will guarantee you stable employment, then this is a good pick.

Is Electrical Engineering Safe From AI?

It’s the big question for almost any job right now and we’d be wrong not to mention it here. As an electrical engineer, are you in danger of losing your job to AI?

The short answer is no. That is to say, you’re in far less danger than most other industries. While there are some automation threats to electrical engineering roles, compared to most jobs, electrical engineering is a safe option if you’re looking for a career that’s fairly future proof.

That said, it’s important to note that there are never any concrete predictions when it comes to AI. It’s always important to keep abreast of what the technology can and can’t do if you want to make sure you’re in an AI-safe job.