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Communications Engineer, Control Systems Engineer, Digital Systems Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer, Professional Engineer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $34.91 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $46.49 |
| Top | $57.11 |
Interest in synthesizing information to develop maintenance and operating standards and to investigate failures
Interest in precision working to design electrical and electronic circuits, components, systems and equipment
Interest in supervising technicians, technologists, programmers, analysts and other engineers; and in overseeing the installation, modification, testing and operation of systems and equipment
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Electrical engineers work with systems. These systems generate, transmit, distribute, store, control, or use electromagnetic energy or electrically coded information. Engineers may be involved in developing, manufacturing, or applying electrical and electronic devices, circuits, systems, products, and equipment. They produce single line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, cable tray layouts, junction box layouts, and so on. They must apply and comply with known standards. They may be involved in developing those standards.
Electrical engineers may specialize in:
In each of these fields, electrical engineers may further specialize in one or more areas:
As well as their technical duties, electrical engineers often:
Most electrical engineers work in offices. They may travel to operating, construction or infrastructure sites, or manufacturing facilities. They may work long hours and deal with pressure to meet deadlines and design standards. In rare cases they may be exposed to chemical gases or work in severe climate conditions.
Electrical engineers need to possess:
They should enjoy:
The minimum requirement for electrical engineers is a 4-year bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Professional engineers design, construct, evaluate, advise, monitor and report on the performance of materials, equipment, systems, works, processes and structures.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf], you must be a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) to practice as a Professional Engineer or engage in the practice of engineering. You do not have to register if you work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer and do not call yourself a Professional Engineer or use the word “engineer” in your job title.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Alberta requires successful completion of:
A new Provisional Member category has been introduced. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, contact APEGA.
Engineers who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada are eligible for registration in Alberta if the 2 jurisdictions require similar responsibilities and competencies.
For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and the APEGA website.
To learn about certification for internationally educated engineers, see Professional Engineer Registration Process.
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)
1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4A2
Canada
Call: 780-426-3990
Toll-free in North America: 1-800-661-7020
Email: email@apega.ca
Website: www.apega.ca
Electrical engineers may work for:
Many engineers spend their entire careers in technical jobs. Some engineers become managers, administrators, or sales reps (to learn more, see the Technical Sales Representative occupational profile).
Electrical engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2133: Electrical and electronics engineers. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 2133: Electrical and electronics engineers occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 135 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.96 | $61.37 | $34.91 | $33.00 |
| Overall | $32.69 | $79.81 | $46.49 | $39.88 |
| Top | $36.59 | $92.06 | $57.11 | $45.67 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $112,252 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $110,128 |
| Manufacturing | $96,287 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $95,238 |
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.