How Much Does an Electrical Engineer Make? Salary Insights and Trends

Considering a career in electrical engineering or curious about industry compensation? Let’s explore the comprehensive salary landscape for electrical engineers, from entry-level positions to senior roles, and understand what factors influence earning potential in this dynamic field.

Understanding Electrical Engineer Salaries

Electrical engineers, essential in our technology-driven world, command competitive salaries reflecting their expertise in power systems, generation, and transmission. Recent data indicates a median annual wage between $103,000 and $109,010. The salary spectrum is broad, ranging from entry-level positions starting at $56,490 to substantially higher compensation for specialized experts and leaders.

What is the Average Salary for Electrical Engineers?

The median annual salary for electrical engineers in the United States ranges from $100,838 to $109,010, reflecting their specialized work with complex technologies including radar systems, power generation equipment, and vehicle electrical systems. These figures represent the industry midpoint, with variations based on location, experience, and sector.

Entry-Level vs. Experienced Electrical Engineer Salaries

Career progression in electrical engineering shows significant financial growth potential. Here’s the breakdown by experience level:

• Entry-Level (0-2 years) – $60,000 to $75,000 annually
• Mid-Career (5-10 years) – $90,000 to $120,000 annually
• Senior Level (15+ years) – $130,000 to $150,000+ annually

Factors Influencing Electrical Engineer Salaries

With a current median of $109,010 annually, electrical engineer salaries are shaped by various professional and market factors. Beyond technical expertise, several elements contribute to compensation variations:

• Experience level and expertise
• Educational credentials
• Specialized certifications
• Industry demand
• Company size
• Economic conditions
• Technical currency with emerging trends

Impact of Location on Electrical Engineer Salaries

Geographic location can create salary disparities of up to 40% between regions. The highest-paying states include:

• California
• Washington
• Massachusetts
• New York

Engineers in these states often earn $15,000-$30,000 above the national median. Metropolitan areas typically offer 20-25% higher compensation than rural locations within the same state.

Industry-Specific Salary Variations

Top Paying States and Cities for Electrical Engineers

Location significantly impacts electrical engineer compensation, with some regions offering over 50% above the national median of $109,010. While coastal states and major tech hubs provide the highest nominal salaries, emerging technology centers with lower living costs often offer better purchasing power, making them attractive alternatives for career advancement.

States with the Highest Electrical Engineer Salaries

California leads the nation in electrical engineer compensation, offering an annual mean wage of $147,340 – approximately 40% above the national median. This premium reflects both the state’s elevated cost of living and its dense concentration of innovative technology companies. The top five highest-paying states include:

• California – $147,340
• Washington
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Maryland

Salary distribution across states closely aligns with technology industry presence and regional living costs. Areas with strong aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and research sectors typically offer premium compensation. While Midwest and Southern regions generally provide lower salaries, their significantly reduced living costs can result in better financial outcomes. For example, an engineer in Mississippi earning 30% less than their California counterpart might benefit from 60-70% lower housing expenses.

Top Metropolitan Areas for Electrical Engineer Earnings

Several emerging tech hubs now offer compelling alternatives to traditional coastal centers. Cities like Austin, Denver, Raleigh-Durham, and Portland combine competitive salaries with lower living costs. Additionally, specialized industrial centers such as Huntsville (aerospace) and Detroit (automotive technology) offer premium compensation for engineers with sector-specific expertise, while maintaining more affordable living costs than major coastal metropolitan areas.

Future Salary Trends in Electrical Engineering

The electrical engineering field maintains strong compensation prospects, with current median annual earnings at $109,010 ($52.41 hourly). This robust foundation supports continued growth potential as market demands evolve and new technologies emerge. Entry-level positions starting at $56,490 are expected to rise as competition for specialized talent intensifies, though geographic variations will persist between metropolitan tech hubs and rural areas.

Projected Growth in Electrical Engineer Salaries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 7% employment growth for electrical engineers from 2020 to 2030, exceeding the overall occupational average. This expansion, driven by renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart infrastructure developments, suggests annual salary increases of 3-5% over the next decade. The retirement of experienced professionals, combined with increasing technical complexity, creates advancement opportunities particularly for engineers who bridge traditional and emerging technologies.

Emerging Opportunities and Their Impact on Salaries

• Renewable Energy Systems – 10-15% above industry averages
• Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – $130,000-$150,000 for experienced engineers
• Embedded Systems Design – Premium compensation for specialized expertise
• IoT Architecture – Top-tier salary packages
• AI-Optimized Electrical Systems – Competitive compensation for specialized knowledge