Electrical Engineer Salary: Your 2024 Guide

Electrical engineers are technical professionals who develop the tools, systems, programs, and computer-aided designs that create, maintain, and enhance a wide range of industries and personal enjoyment. They are the experts who design smartphones, electrical systems in vehicles, fibre optics, satellites, and more. 

When choosing a career path, students and new professionals can consider the different levels of salaries for electrical engineers to maximize an upward trajectory toward success. 

How much do electrical engineers make?

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for electrical engineers in Canada is $90,860 [1]. Salaries for electrical engineers can vary, so it helps to explore salary ranges within different specialties to get a complete picture of what they make. Here are two specialty roles and their average annual salaries in Canada:

• Electrical engineer researchers: $82,975 per year [2]

• Control system engineer: $79,882 [3]

That competitive salary makes sense, as electronics and electrical tools have become integral parts of life for both business and pleasure. Millions of people rely on the engineering behind these systems every day. 

Factors affecting salary

Many factors determine what you can expect to earn as an electrical engineer. You can compare factors such as experience, industry, location, and employer. From there, it’s also possible to negotiate with potential employers—especially if you have specialized in-demand skills. 

Education

Electrical engineers must earn an engineering degree in electrical or electronics engineering. Each province or territory has its own regulating boards that handle licensure for electrical engineers, but all require the completion of a CEA-accredited program. Earning a master’s or graduate degree in electrical engineering will open up more opportunities, such as working at universities or in research and development positions. Engineering professors in Canada make an average of $136,504 a year [4].

Certifications

Each territory and province regulates electrical engineers, so you’ll need to apply for licensure. Depending on where you want to work and which regulatory body you’ll need to register with, the requirements can vary.

In general, you’ll need to complete your education, demonstrate language competency, and gain relevant work experience before you are qualified to take the Principles and Practices of Engineering exam (PPE). Be sure to verify the specific requirements for the region in which you plan to apply for licensure.  

Level of experience 

After years of working in electrical engineering, you may be qualified to work as an electrical engineering manager. These professionals earn more because they are tasked with planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of engineering teams. The average median salary of electrical engineers in management positions is $83,221 [5]. 

Industry

Electrical engineers can work in many industries, including:

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Chemical

• Construction

• Defence

• Electronics

• Consumer goods

• Marine

• Materials and metals

• Oil and gas

• Pharmaceuticals

• Power generation

• Rail

• Telecommunications

• Utilities

Employers in corporations, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies also require electrical engineers as employees. 

Company size

Another critical variable determining the salaries of electrical engineers is company 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 afford to pay employees more if the company is more stable.

Plus, formalized performance reviews and enhanced responsibility can allow for annual pay increases. When considering companies, look beyond the initial salary offer. You may have opportunities to earn more once you’ve shown your worth. 

Industry and salary 

Some industries pay more for electrical engineers' expertise, education, and experience. According to Montreal, Quebec, recruitment agency Groom, the average annual salaries by industry include:

• Pipeline engineer: $90,000 to $150,000

• Mechanical engineer: $60,000 to $100,000

• Electrical engineer: $70,000 to $100,000

• Data engineer: $90,000 to $120,000

• Civil engineer: $65,000 to $100,000

• Project management engineer: $90,000 to $150,000

• Systems engineer: $75,000 to $95,000

• Computer hardware engineer: $75,000 to $95,000

• Biomedical engineer: $70,000 to $100,000

• Mining engineer: $85,000 to $120,000

Location and salary

Due to the cost of living and the location of top-paying companies, salaries for electrical engineering roles will vary by province and territory. The top nine cities for the highest-paying electrical engineering jobs and their average salaries are [6]:

1. Windsor, ON: $95,687

2. Saskatoon, SK: $91,031

3. London, ON: $90,337

4. Calgary, AB: $89,531

5. Burlington, ON: $86,726

6. Mississauga, ON: $86,605

7. Cambridge, ON: $84,981

8. Toronto, ON: $79,066

9. Burnaby, BC: $76,821 

Company and salary

As with all professions, some companies simply pay better than others. Based on jobs posted on Indeed in April 2024, here are salaries that some companies are offering [7]:

• Cooec Canada Company: $164,196

• BC Hydro: $114,346

• Dynamo: $111,973

• J.L. Richards & Associates: $108,814

Job title variations and salary

Different jobs in electrical engineering also pay differently. Your job title sometimes determines your salary. According to Glassdoor, some examples of average salaries and job titles in Canada include:

• Controls engineer: $77,911

• Project engineer: $86,510

• Test engineer: $70,773

• Design engineer: $79,639

• Electrical engineer: $84,719

• Communications engineer: $75,894

• Systems engineer: $87,141

• Electronics engineer: $70,404

How to become an electrical engineer: Next steps

If you're interested in specializing skills sets consider an online course to determine what interests. For example, Energy Production, Distribution, and Safety, a specialization course offered by the University of Buffalo on Coursera, may establish the foundation for a job in the energy industry. Introduction to Electronics, a course offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera, can provide you with the basics of electronics to prepare you for more in-depth work.