Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
Top skills:WritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Electrical Engineer pay by experience level
Entry level$79,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$96,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$125,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$158,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$191,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+7.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
11,700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Electrical Engineer salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
70,260 workers
$130,500
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
47,480 workers
$124,000
Utilities
22,270 workers
$126,500
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
20,460 workers
$138,500
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
20,330 workers
$124,500
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
12,980 workers
$141,500
Scientific Research and Development Services
10,850 workers
$150,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
10,260 workers
$139,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
10,260 workers
$139,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
10,060 workers
$130,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Electrical Engineer pays 20% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Electrical Engineer make?
The average base salary for a Electrical Engineer in the United States is $129,500 per year, or about $62.26 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $96,000 and $158,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Electrical Engineer pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
