Electrical Engineers
Machines can already do 38% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 64%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Electrical Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 38% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 6% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 64% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 198,750 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $120,630 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 71% for contact with people.
- Also called: Circuits Engineer, Design Engineer, Electrical Controls Engineer, Electrical Design Engineer.
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes | 17% | 38% to 72% | |
| Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products | 11% | 30% to 54% | |
| Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks | 10% | 65% to 92% | |
| Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget | 7% | 10% to 27% | |
| Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements | 6% | 10% to 27% | |
| Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications | 6% | 25% to 50% | |
| Prepare technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, or topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Compile data and write reports regarding existing or potential electrical engineering studies or projects | 6% | 70% to 95% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills electrical engineers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much electrical engineers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver8/10
- Trust and reliability7/10
- Know-how about the organisation5/10
- Network and relationships5/10
- Mentoring and developing others2/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis6/10
- Bridge between teams4/10
- Reputation and influence4/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Materials Engineers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $112,860
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $130,220
- Food Scientists and Technologists50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $88,720
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Electrical Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of electrical engineers?
Machines can do 38% of the tasks of electrical engineers today and 64% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2071.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Electrical Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/electrical-engineers/