Electrical Engineeringat University of California-Berkeley
Graduates earn $137,295/yr in their first year — about 77.0% above the national Electrical Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $2,110K; scenarios range from $1,576K to $2,298K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Berkeley
Studying Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at UC Berkeley places you directly at the epicenter of technological innovation. Your rigorous education, combined with the program's world-class research and unparalleled proximity to Silicon Valley, means you'll be highly sought after by leading tech firms like NVIDIA, Apple, Google, and a myriad of groundbreaking startups. This powerful combination of academic excellence and a dynamic regional labor market underpins the exceptional career trajectories and robust demand for graduates entering roles from hardware design to R&D leadership.
However, the field's rapid evolution, particularly with advancements in AI, means continuous learning will be paramount. To thrive, focus on developing specialized skills in areas like complex system architecture, interdisciplinary applications, or cutting-edge research where human ingenuity remains irreplaceable. Your Berkeley degree provides an incredible launchpad, but staying ahead requires actively engaging with emerging technologies throughout your career.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Berkeley's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Electrical Engineering
How UC Berkeley stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Berkeley
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Berkeley, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Electrical Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Electrical Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley
What does a 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Electrical Engineering at University of California-Berkeley?
At 79/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Electrical Engineering at University of California-Berkeley?
The 56% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is University of California-Berkeley one of the best schools for Electrical Engineering?
Among 262 Electrical Engineering programs, University of California-Berkeley's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.