Electrical engineering shortages over the next five years

The topic of electrical engineering workforce shortages over the next five years is a complex one, driven by a mix of retiring workers, shifting educational trends, and rising demand in key industries. Based on current trends and projections, here’s an overview of what to expect through 2030.

Demand for electrical engineers is likely to grow significantly over the next five years, fueled by advancements in technology and infrastructure needs. Industries like renewable energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and telecommunications are expanding rapidly, all of which rely heavily on electrical engineering expertise. For instance, the push for electrification and sustainable energy solutions—think solar arrays, wind farms, and EV charging networks—requires engineers to design and maintain sophisticated systems. The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, signed in 2022, is also pouring billions into domestic semiconductor manufacturing, with estimates suggesting a need for at least 50,000 new semiconductor engineers by 2029 to staff new facilities and research labs. Globally, the rise of 5G, AI, and autonomous systems further amplifies this demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 19,000 annual openings for electrical and electronics engineers through 2032, driven partly by replacement needs but also by growth in these high-tech sectors.

On the supply side, however, there’s a bottleneck. The workforce is aging, with many experienced engineers—especially from the Baby Boomer generation—nearing retirement. In the U.S., there are roughly 295,000 electrical and electronics engineers today, but over the next few years, retirements and career transitions could outpace new entrants, potentially leaving a gap of around 1,100 engineers annually if trends hold. This isn’t just a U.S. issue—Asia, a hub for electronics production, is losing talent to migration as engineers seek better pay and conditions elsewhere, exacerbating local shortages. Meanwhile, fewer young people are choosing electrical engineering as a career. Over the past 50 years, U.S. college enrollment in electrical engineering has dropped 90%, while computer science majors have surged by the same margin. Only about 20,000 to 30,000 new electrical engineers graduate annually in the U.S., far short of what’s needed to replace retirees and meet new demand. This shift partly reflects perceptions of electrical engineering as less glamorous or lucrative compared to software-focused fields like those at Google or Amazon, despite starting salaries for electrical engineers averaging around $111,000 as of recent years.

The education pipeline isn’t keeping up either. Undergraduate programs face stagnant enrollment, blamed on inadequate funding, declining interest, and a lack of early exposure to engineering in schools. Many students who do pursue the field drop out due to its rigor—over half, according to some studies—or opt for certifications in software engineering, which often require less time and offer quicker career entry. Efforts like NASA’s STEM initiatives or Johnson & Johnson’s STEM²D programs aim to spark interest among youth, but these are long-term plays that won’t fully address the next five years. Community colleges and shorter certificate programs, like those proposed in power engineering, could help, but they’re not yet scaled to meet the gap.

Companies are adapting by hiring more contract engineers and leaning on engineering services firms, a trend the BLS expects to drive most job growth in the field. Immigration could also offset shortages, but U.S. policies remain a wildcard—foreign students earn many advanced degrees here, yet visa restrictions often push them out. In Asia, the brain drain to Western countries could worsen as global competition for talent heats up.

Over the next five years—through March 2030—the electrical engineering workforce will likely face a persistent shortage unless supply ramps up fast. Demand will climb as technology permeates more of daily life, but without a surge in graduates, better retention of mid-career engineers, or policy shifts on immigration, industries might struggle to fill roles. The gap won’t cripple progress entirely—firms will innovate with software solutions or redesigns to ease hardware constraints, as seen during the chip shortage—but it could slow breakthroughs and raise costs. The next half-decade will test how well education, industry, and government can align to plug this hole.