What does an electrical engineer do?
Electrical engineers design, install, test and maintain the electrical systems that power buildings and infrastructure, anything from lighting, power distribution and fire alarm systems in a commercial building, to substations, switchgear and protection systems on a transmission or distribution network. The exact scope of the role depends heavily on sector: in building services, electrical engineers work on power, lighting, small power, fire and security systems within a building; in rail, they might work on traction power or signalling power supplies; in transmission and distribution, they focus on high and low voltage networks and connections.
Across all these settings, the core job is similar: producing designs and calculations, selecting and specifying equipment, coordinating with mechanical and structural colleagues, overseeing installation and testing on site, and commissioning systems so they perform safely and reliably. Electrical engineers typically work with design software such as AutoCAD, Revit MEP, Amtech or Dialux, and need a solid understanding of the regulations and standards relevant to their sector, from BS 7671 wiring regulations to the specific requirements of network operators.
It's a role suited to people with strong technical and problem-solving skills who enjoy seeing a design through from concept to a working, tested system.
How much does an electrical engineer earn?
Salary depends heavily on sector and level of chartership. The figures below are blended from building services design and water sector data, with nuclear design paying noticeably above this range at senior and principal level; nuclear Principal Electrical Engineers can reach £120,000 permanent.
Graduate and junior electrical engineers earn £24,000 to £34,000 per year, averaging £29,000.
Electrical engineers earn £30,000 to £50,000 per year, averaging £40,000, with contract rates of £360 to £400 a day, averaging £380.
Senior electrical engineers earn £45,000 to £67,000 per year, averaging £55,000, with contract rates of £375 to £500 a day, averaging £440.
Principal electrical engineers earn £55,000 to £92,500 per year, averaging £70,000, with contract rates of £460 to £570 a day, averaging £515.
Associates and technical directors earn £75,000 or more per year, with pay in the nuclear sector reaching £120,000 or more, and contract rates of £570 a day or more.
Source: blended from our 2026 Buildings Salary Survey, Building Services Design section, and 2026 Water Design Salary Survey, Electrical Engineer design track, with reference to the higher senior and principal figures in the 2026 Nuclear Design and Build Salary Survey.
What industries do electrical engineers work in?
Electrical engineers work across buildings and building services, rail, transmission and distribution, nuclear and water civils & MEICA - with demand currently strongest in the water infrastructure, and transmission and distribution sectors. |
You can use the button below to search for electrical engineering roles with leading private and public sector organisations all over the UK through Carrington West's job search.