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Job outlook for digital systems engineers in the United States
Are digital systems engineer jobs in demand?
Digital systems engineer job and salary trends over time
Digital systems engineer jobs over time
Digital systems engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 568 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 649 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 683 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 711 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 716 | 0.00% |
Average digital systems engineer salary over time
Digital systems engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $109,672 | $52.73 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $107,663 | $51.76 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $104,736 | $50.35 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $104,206 | $50.10 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $101,177 | $48.64 | +1.0% |
Digital systems engineer jobs by state
Most common states for digital systems engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 658 | 95% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,821 | 33% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,007 | 33% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,456 | 26% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 250 | 26% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,686 | 25% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 150 | 24% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,681 | 23% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 916 | 22% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 302 | 22% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 167 | 22% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 219 | 21% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,091 | 20% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 146 | 20% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 114 | 20% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 592 | 19% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,280 | 18% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 376 | 18% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 342 | 18% |
| 20 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,669 | 17% |
Most common cities for digital systems engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 1 | 4% | $114,581 |
| 2 | Huntsville | 3 | 2% | $89,538 |
| 3 | Ames | 1 | 2% | $79,858 |
| 4 | Tucson | 3 | 1% | $94,115 |
| 5 | Charleston | 1 | 1% | $82,435 |
| 6 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $109,125 |
| 7 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $131,181 |
| 8 | Seattle | 3 | 0% | $112,135 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $87,931 |
| 10 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $114,695 |
| 11 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $94,332 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $98,837 |
| 13 | Chandler | 1 | 0% | $96,620 |
| 14 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $100,368 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $110,307 |
| 16 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $114,958 |
| 17 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $91,736 |
Digital Systems Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of digital systems engineer experts
Gonzaga University
Stevens Institute of Technology
California State University - Fresno
San Diego State University
University of Washington
Bakersfield College
Portland State University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of New Hampshire
Northeastern University
Kennesaw State University
Idaho State University
Pennsylvania State University - Great Valley
What will help Digital Systems Engineers increase their earning potential?
Craig Johnson Ph.D., P.E.: Master basic science and engineering concepts, as well as application of 'soft skills' such as written and verbal communication. Acquire skills and knowledge areas in electromechanical devices, especially in areas of energy and heat transfer, reflecting current issues related to climate change and power management.
What Digital Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Steven Schennum Ph.D. P.E.: The most important skill is the ability to learn new things, and especially to unlearn things you “know” after evidence demonstrates that these things are not true. Learn how to analyze information. Your intuition, simulations, and results should all be in alignment. If they are not, then dig deeper. Learn the terminology and jargon specific to your company and your projects. Spend time reading. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be intimidated by new software.
What Digital Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Min Song: Communication skills and innovative thinking skills. As emerging technologies continue to be complex and multidisciplinary, it’s important to be able to communicate with professionals in diverse disciplines. Taking robotics, for example, the electrical engineer must be able to work with mechanical and biomechanical engineers, computer engineers, software engineers, artificial intelligence experts, cognitive scientists, system engineers, etc. A person will be able to generate innovative ideas only if the person has a complete and comprehensive understanding of the entire system and can work well with other individuals with a range of expertise.
What will help Digital Systems Engineers increase their earning potential?
Min Song: Have an open mind and be willing to learn new knowledge and skills. College education primarily focuses on the development of critical and creative thinking skills, the learning of fundamental principles and design methodologies, and the building up of enthusiasm and dedication to lifelong learning. Starting a professional career requires new graduates develop the ability to translate the knowledge and skills developed in school to solving complex, real-world problems.
What will help Digital Systems Engineers increase their earning potential?
Aaron Stillmaker Ph.D.: To maximize your salary I always tell my students to make sure to research what the average entry engineer in that specialty and location makes, which is easy both by researching online and talking with colleagues. Make sure to apply to many positions at the same time and ideally get interviews around the same time. Ideally if you get multiple companies that want to hire them, they can use the job offers to compete with each other. I also always tell students to ideally not say a desired number first, and no matter what the hiring manager offers them they should ask for more. If the number is below average, they have a strong hand to ask for more, but even with a good offer, I always suggest students ask for 10% more than what was offered. The worst thing they can say is no, and hold firm on the offer, so they have nothing to lose.
What will help Digital Systems Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Arif Engin: Electrical engineers solve problems by skillfully applying mathematics and science. Electrical engineering classes are challenging at college, and electrical engineers must embrace lifelong learning to remain at the top of their skills. In the end, seeing the results of their work in a finished product is a rewarding experience.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Digital Systems Engineers?
Les Atlas: Most certainly an impact, a very strong impact. The best lesson for us is from the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. That strain of flu still circulates as a seasonal virus. Over 100 years laters, it is now considered a Phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it is reduced due to current social distancing and mask wearing, the 1919 Spanish Flu virus still causes community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of the globe. Societal changes from this event of over 100 years ago are still with us.
In fact, they changed society. As is well-documented, after a high level of immunity was reached in the 1920's, the resulting labor shortage enabled workers to demand better living and working conditions, as well as better wages and public health care. As just one example of the societal changes due to the 1919 pandemic, the drop in the male labor force empowered male workers, and also changed the gender composition.
The aftermath of the 1919 pandemic was the start of women joining the labour force. In the United States, the proportion of women in the labour force rose from 18 per cent in 1900 to almost 21 per cent in 1920. In that same year, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, the Congress of the United States guaranteed all American women the right to vote.
The current COVID-19 pandemic will certainly change the way we live, be it our mobility or the kinds of career options people have. After our current year-long experience in remote learning and work, will we go back to the inefficiencies of going to our office every work day? Or will remote work be acceptable, where one's residence will not be dependent upon the locations of employment. Will we avoid future hotspots of infection, choosing to instead reside and travel in areas where infection is decreasing? Will we prefer to travel on aircraft which are certified to be virus-free and frequent restaurants which are documented to be safer? Future marketing will likely make a sharp turn in this direction.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Systems Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Maryam Farahani: In my opinion, technology will play a much bigger role in our day-to-day life compared to the pre-pandemic world. Artificial intelligence and robotics will have a boost in employment numbers. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Targets and etc, will need more IT and technology specialists to meet their customer's need for online shopping and supplying/delivering products to their customers. Jobs like programmers, data analysts, and technology support positions will have a rise in response to the change in the market due to pandemic.
For so many of the jobs, the need for a physical office is under question now, many employees are working from home and managing/coordinating their projects virtually. This will change the job market forever and job seekers need to learn new skills to adjust to this change.
Right now, healthcare-related job opportunities are growing in response to the rising need. In addition to doctors and nurses, there will be needs for management roles, accountants, technology supports, and lab technicians in health care industry.
What Digital Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maryam Farahani: The best approach is researching skills and technologies required in their field of education or their field of work. Specially if there are simulation software/skills presented in their schools (related to their field of work/study), they should not miss the opportunity to learn them. These type of trainings are much less expensive in school and help them to standout in the pool of candidates in current competitive job market. Plus the hiring companies will save time/money for training the trained candidates, and it gives the trained candidates higher chance of employment.
What general advice would you give to a Digital Systems Engineer?
Maryam Farahani: Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.
Professor and Systems Science Program ChairPortland State University
Systems science program
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Digital Systems Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.: Obviously, there is and will continue to be increased receptivity to (and necessity of) working remotely. This is likely to benefit some job seekers. On the other hand, the weakened economy, which may take years to recover, means that less jobs are/will be available, and, therefore, the competition for attractive jobs will be intense.
What Digital Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.: For analyst positions, I think that employers want to hire people with strong data analysis skills, which, of course, includes statistics, but also big data, machine learning (algorithms), computer-based modeling, and programming. And, in addition to these apparently rather specialized skills, there is growing recognition that a talent for thinking, communicating, and problem-solving in a very general sense, and being able to cope with/address complexity, is also quite important.
Dr. T.S. Kalkur
Department ChairUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Digital Systems Engineers?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Yes, students complained that, while they are earning an online degree, they aren't learning as much.
What experience really stands out on Digital Systems Engineer resumes?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Internship experience and tools used in design.
Marc Lessard
ProfessorUniversity of New Hampshire
Physics and Astronomy Department and Space Science Center
What type of skills will young Digital Systems Engineers need?
Marc Lessard: This is a very good and important question. Graduates who can address complex problems in creative ways will be the most successful. This might sound obvious, but there seems to be a trend developing where younger engineers tend to want to follow written procedures or instructions for solving problems.
What is more valuable, of course, is being able to use a broad-based background to provide new and creative solutions, or at least to suggest new ideas and engage in discussions to further develop those ideas. The cliche of "thinking outside the box" will always be important.
What experience really stands out on Digital Systems Engineer resumes?
Marc Lessard: Students who have been significantly involved in research projects have a distinct advantage over those who haven't. Those who began such work (which is typically paid) as sophomores or juniors often will have played a significant role in these real-world research efforts, which can be very different than what might be tackled as part of a capstone project.
Written and oral presentation skills are also essential!
What Digital Systems Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura A. Meyer M. Ed.: Students should really be working on honing the skills in their areas of focus and interest. With that said, they should also work toward becoming more well-rounded in all areas. A few of my students have realized through job postings, they have found that although they may want to work in data, knowing the basics of programming will be useful as well.
What experience really stands out on Digital Systems Engineer resumes?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: It is the age of diversity. A graduate can stand out when their resume shows a broad portfolio of experiences. In addition to a solid academic record, students who demonstrate that they can take on challenging tasks and work beyond a degree's basic requirements are more likely to be successful. I advise students to get involved in various activities, including undergraduate research projects, student design competitions, student organizations, internships, co-ops, etc. All of these should be highlighted on the resume. When a recruiter sees an overview of a student that shows relevant work experience in the form of work-study, internships, or co-op or research, their resume automatically comes to the top of the pile.
Vince Bowen
Executive Director, Department Chair Energy Systems Technology & Education Center (ESTEC)Idaho State University
College of Technology
What type of skills will young Digital Systems Engineers need?
Vince Bowen: How to learn. How to problem-solve. Emotional Intelligence to work in teams and get along with coworkers/customers. Then they need the tech skills.
How do you envision technology impacting Digital Systems Engineers in the next 5 years?
Vince Bowen: AI and IoT are the newest technologies in the area and will have an enormous impact on training programs.
What experience really stands out on Digital Systems Engineer resumes?
Nil Ergin Ph.D.: Knowledge of analytical skills, methods, and tools for analysis, design, and management of complex systems and experience working with interdisciplinary teams are essential for systems engineering professionals. Experience in applying systems thinking and design thinking approaches to understanding organization, technical, and non-technical factors that influence the design and performance of complex systems stands out on resumes.