Electrician or electrical engineer: what is the difference?
An electrician installs, tests and fixes wiring and equipment with their hands. An electrical engineer spends more time on the design and planning side. The National Careers Service lists the engineer's tasks as drawing up project plans and technical diagrams in design software, estimating costs and timings, testing systems and analysing the results, and coordinating technicians and craftspeople. Engineers also run inspection and maintenance programmes and make sure projects meet safety regulations.
The two jobs overlap more than people think, and plenty of engineers started on the tools. The IET runs a version of Engineering Technician registration built around electricians' qualifications and experience, called Electrician EngTech. If you start as an electrical engineering technician, on-the-job training can take you up to engineer level.
Which route suits you?
University suits school leavers who want full-time study. You can take a foundation degree or a full degree in electrical or electronic engineering. Related subjects also get people in, including electromechanical engineering, building services engineering, applied physics and mechatronics. Pick a course with a sandwich year or placements. Graduate schemes favour applicants who have worked in industry. If you are aiming for chartered status later, pick a course accredited for Engineering Council registration.
The Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) apprenticeship is a Level 6 standard in England. It typically runs 42 months and leads to a degree. Your employer pays your wage and the training is publicly funded, up to £27,000. The college route means an HNC or HND in electrical and electronic engineering, then a trainee engineer job.
Who hires electrical engineers?
The work covers a wide spread of industries: power generation and networks, renewable energy, transport, construction and manufacturing. Depending on the employer, you could work in a factory, a power station, a workshop, a research facility or an office, and some jobs involve working at height.
The energy transition creates a lot of the newer jobs. These include designing battery storage for renewable power, carrying out energy-efficiency audits, and working on solar and wind systems. Further on, engineers move into project management, electrical design, research and development, contracts management and consultancy.
IEng and CEng later on
The Engineering Council sets the UK-SPEC standard. Licensed institutions such as the IET assess applicants against it. For CEng, the straightforward academic routes are an accredited integrated MEng, or an accredited honours bachelor's plus an accredited master's or further learning to master's level. For IEng, an accredited bachelor's or honours degree in engineering or technology is the usual base.
HNCs and HNDs count for less than many people expect. An HND started after September 1999 needs further learning to degree level. An HNC started on or after 1 September 2010 no longer counts as a qualifying qualification for IEng. If your qualifications fall short, the IET still accepts applications through a non-standard or experiential route. You show your competence through evidence from your work and a professional review interview.
Pay
GBP a year, before tax. Percentile ranges are modelled from ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, April 2026 (provisional), moved to 2026 with a wage index; regional figures are modelled. The starter-to-experienced row comes from the National Careers Service. Sector, chartered status and location move pay most. Refer to the Electrical Engineers salary guide for figures from live adverts.
What you need
- School qualificationsA degree usually asks for 2 or 3 A levels or equivalent, including maths and a science. A degree apprenticeship usually asks for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 plus A levels or equivalent.
- HNC or HND entryFor a Level 4 or 5 college course you will usually need 1 or 2 A levels, a Level 3 diploma or relevant experience.
- Accredited courseIf you want chartered status, choose a course accredited for Engineering Council registration. That makes the later application more straightforward.
- Maths and problem solvingThe work relies on engineering science, maths, design skills and careful attention to detail. You also need to be comfortable with design software.
- CommunicationYou will coordinate technicians and craftspeople and explain technical decisions, so clear spoken communication and teamwork matter.
- CEng academic baseAn accredited integrated MEng, or an accredited honours bachelor's plus a master's or further learning to master's level. There is also an experiential route for people without these.
How to get there
- Age 16-18GCSEs and A levelsTake maths and a science at A level, or an equivalent Level 3 engineering course.
- Age 18+Choose your routePick from an accredited degree, the Level 6 Electrical and electronic engineer degree apprenticeship, or an HNC or HND at college.
- Typically 42 monthsComplete the degree apprenticeshipThis mixes paid work with university study and finishes with an end-point assessment and a degree.
- After qualifyingTrainee or graduate engineerJoin a graduate scheme or trainee post. You can also apply directly if you have qualifications and several years' experience in a related area of engineering, such as electronics or power generation.
- Early careerBuild evidence and join an institutionKeep a record of projects, responsibility and CPD against UK-SPEC. The IET's Career Manager tool helps you do this.
- Once competentApply for IEng or CEngSubmit your evidence with at least one supporter. For CEng you then attend a professional review interview of about an hour, which includes a presentation of around 15 minutes. For IEng, trained IET members assess your application and a final peer review follows.
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Questions people ask
Can an electrician become an electrical engineer?
Yes. The National Careers Service says you can start as an electrical engineering technician and train on the job to become an engineer. You could also take an HNC or HND in electrical and electronic engineering at college and then look for a trainee engineer post. The IET also offers Electrician EngTech, a professional registration based on electricians' qualifications and experience.
Do I need a master's degree to become a Chartered Engineer?
No. The IET says experienced engineers who can show equivalent learning and competence have alternative routes. An accredited MEng, or an accredited bachelor's with further learning to master's level, makes the application more straightforward.
Does an HNC count towards IEng?
The Engineering Council says an HNC started on or after 1 September 2010 no longer counts as a qualifying qualification for IEng. An HND started after September 1999 counts if you add further learning to degree level. You can still apply through the IET's non-standard route by showing competence at IEng level.
How long is the electrical engineer degree apprenticeship?
The Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) apprenticeship in England is a Level 6 standard with a typical course duration of 42 months. Government funding for training and assessment is capped at £27,000.
Can I go from IEng to CEng?
Yes. The IET says many Incorporated Engineers and registered technicians use professional registration as a stepping stone to CEng as their responsibilities grow.
Sources
- National Careers Service: electrical engineer job profile
- Find apprenticeship training: Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) (level 6)
- Skills England: Electrical and electronic engineer (degree) ST0024
- Engineering Council: Chartered Engineer (CEng)
- Engineering Council: Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
- Engineering Council: FAQs on academic qualifications
- IET: Become a Chartered Engineer (CEng)
- IET: Incorporated Engineer
- IET: Engineering Technician (EngTech) for Electricians
