Electronics Engineers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Electronics Engineers design, develop, adapt, install, test and maintain electronic components, circuits and systems used for computer systems, communication systems, entertainment, transport and other industrial applications.
Specialisations: Communications Engineer (Army).
A bachelor degree in engineering majoring in electronics or a related field is needed to work as an Electronics Engineer. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
-
designing electronic components, circuits and systems used for computer, communication and control systems, and other industrial applications
-
designing software, especially embedded software, to be used within such systems
-
developing apparatus and procedures to test electronic components, circuits and systems
-
supervising installation and commissioning of computer, communication and control systems, and ensuring proper control and protection methods
-
establishing and monitoring performance and safety standards and procedures for operation, modification, maintenance and repair of such systems
-
designing communications bearers based on wired, optical fibre and wireless communication media
-
analysing communications traffic and level of service, and determining the type of installation, location, layout and transmission medium for communication systems
-
designing and developing signal processing algorithms and implementing these through appropriate choice of hardware and software
Characteristics
-
University
-
Practical
-
Analytical
-
Creative
-
Sedentary
-
Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 8,000 |
2012 | 6,900 |
2013 | 8,100 |
2014 | 8,600 |
2015 | 2,300 |
2016 | 5,400 |
2017 | 4,000 |
2018 | 5,500 |
2019 | 9,100 |
2020 | 5,600 |
2021 | 4,300 |
2026 | 4,400 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 89% of people employed as Electronics Engineers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 23 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $2,288 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,756
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,308
Median hourly earnings are $58, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Electronics Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 2,288 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
-
Electronics Engineers work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Information media and telecommunications
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Electronics Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.3 | 31.6 |
VIC | 30.8 | 25.6 |
QLD | 13.2 | 20.0 |
SA | 9.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 11.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.9 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 3.5 | 1.9 |
-
Around 85% of Electronics Engineers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Melbourne - Inner
- Adelaide - North
- Melbourne - Inner East.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Electronics Engineers is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Females make up 6% of the workforce. This is 42 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Electronics Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 22.6 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 26.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 25.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 10.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 43 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in engineering majoring in electronics or a related field is needed to work as an Electronics Engineer. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Registration may be required in some states and territories. In addition, Engineers Australia has a non-compulsory National Engineering Register.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Electronics Engineers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 23.8 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 52.3 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 11.5 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 6.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 4.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Electronics Engineers who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
59%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
59%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
57%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
55%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
-
54%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
54%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
54%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
-
52%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
52%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
50%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
50%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
48%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
-
46%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
45%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
-
45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
45%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
-
45%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
91%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
81%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
74%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
72%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
71%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
68%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
60%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
60%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
58%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
-
56%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
49%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
48%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
46%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
41%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
40%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
34%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
-
32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
31%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
-
26%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
19%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
61%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
-
59%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
59%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
-
59%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
57%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
-
57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
57%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
55%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
-
55%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
-
54%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
-
52%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
-
48%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
-
48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
-
45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
45%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
84%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
83%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
78%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
-
76%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
75%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
74%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
-
72%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
-
71%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
-
69%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
69%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
68%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
-
68%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
67%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
65%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
65%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
64%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
64%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
-
62%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
-
58%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
-
54%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
57%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
38%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
81%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
-
81%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
76%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
48%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
-
97%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
-
96%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
-
95%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
91%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
85%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
84%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
83%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
83%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
81%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
79%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
78%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
77%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
75%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
73%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
-
72%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
70%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
70%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
66%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
-
64%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
63%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-2072.00 - Electronics Engineers, Except Computer.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.