The Electronics jobs market overview

In parallel with an increase in the global demand for electronic products, the volume of electronics jobs has been increasing over the last decade. Our demand for personal consumer technology products from smart washing machines, mobile phones to video recording door bells has exploded over the past 10 years.

Since the 1950s, electronic engineering has been a widely recognised field and the electronic engineer is still one of the most in-demand jobs roles in today’s market.

The countries with the highest demand for those working in electronics are those that are producing the largest quantities of electronics and according to Investopedia, this includes China, Hong Kong and the US. Although the UK has not made it into the top 10, you can still find thousands of vacancies online within the UK electronics sector, which, incidentally, has a thriving innovation market.  Specialist recruitment agencies such as IC Resources recruit electronics specialists across some of the fastest growing tech companies in the UK, from startups to global companies.

Studying Electronics

If you are looking to study electronics, it is a great investment given the high demand for electronic engineers and electronics skills. 

Having a degree and/ or relevant qualification will help in securing the right kind of roles in your career, therefore it’s worth investing time in gaining the right qualifications. The following are just some of the routes into electronics:

• Degree in Electronic Engineering
• Level 4 and 5 High National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Apprenticeship in Electronics Technical Support Engineering

Types of jobs

There are a great number of contract or permanent roles that fall under the electronics umbrella and they start from entry-level positions (which are suitable for graduates or those wanting to gain entry into the electronics field) to senior and advanced level. Here are just some of the roles within electronics at different stages of an individual’s career:

• Entry-level – Junior Electronics Engineer, Graduate Electronics Engineer
• Mid-level – Electronics Engineer, Electronics Technician, Network Engineer
• Senior-level – Senior Electronics Engineer, Embedded Software Engineer

Salary of electronics jobs

Your salary within any field will take into consideration multiple factors such as experience, skills and qualifications, location and company.  However, to give a broad overview of what you can expect, here are the approximate salaries you can expect at various stages of your career according to Technojobs data for Electronics Engineers:

• Entry-level positions – average salaries will be around £28,000
• Mid-level positions – average salaries will be around £50,000
• Senior-level positions – average salaries will be around £66,000

There are a number of fields that fall under electronics including electronics design, power electronics, optical/photonics, electronics test/validation, mechanical design, manufacturing/process, quality/compliance and functional safety and the salaries for these will vary. According to IC Resources 2020 UK Salary Review, a graduate can expect to earn between £28,000-£40,000 in these fields. After 12+ years of experience, this increases considerably to £55,000-£75,000+. 

Skillsets

If you are looking to work in the electronics field there are certain skills that you will need in order to be successful in your career. Every role requires a unique set of skills, however, these are the skills that will apply to most roles in electronics: Critical thinking; Strong analytical skills; Aptitude for maths; Interest in technology; Complex problem-solving skills; Prioritising skills.

How to get into electronics

The route you take to getting your first job in electronics will depend on where you are in your studies/career, what relevant skills and qualifications you have, and where you want to go. If you are still studying, then you have a number of options from gaining a degree in one of the options mentioned previously, carrying out an apprenticeship, or gaining relevant qualifications to start applying for the entry-level positions. A degree is not a pre-requisite if you have experience or other qualifications, but it is likely to provide you with broader opportunities in the electronics sector.

If you are looking for a job in electronics or maybe you are looking to advance your electronics career, then speaking to a specialist agency, such as IC Resources, will ensure you get the right advice and the right job for you.  You can visit the IC Resources website for further information.

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