Electrical Engineer Salary 2025: Median $120,630 — With Tips to Enter the Field
Starting salary for an electrical engineer is around $76,550. The median hits $120,630 — that’s $58 an hour — and the top 10% pull in $184,300. Those are real Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for 2024, covering 198,750 people working in the occupation.
Whether you’re sizing up career options or negotiating a raise, the numbers matter. Here’s what you actually need to know: salary by state, how to break in, and whether the field is growing (it is).
How much Electrical Engineers earn
The national median salary for an electrical engineer is $120,630 per year, according to the BLS. The mean salary is $125,100, which works out to about $58 an hour. But pay varies widely: the bottom 10% earn $76,550 or less; the top 10% earn $184,300 or more.
Experience, industry, and location all drive pay. Engineers in research and development or semiconductor manufacturing tend to earn above the median. Government jobs and utilities are typically closer to the lower end of the range.
- Entry-level (10th percentile): $76,550
- Median: $120,630
- Top earners (90th percentile): $184,300
Pay by state
Where you work as an electrical engineer matters a lot. New Mexico pays the most: $158,520 average. Next are California ($144,040), D.C. ($143,000), New Hampshire ($135,710), and Washington ($132,710). These states have strong tech, defense, or semiconductor industries driving up wages.
At the other end, the lowest-paying states are South Carolina ($98,440), Arkansas ($96,860), and Montana ($87,360). Even there, salaries are still solid compared to the national median for all occupations.
How to become Electrical Engineer
The standard path is a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or electrical and electronics engineering) from an ABET-accredited program. That’s a four-year degree heavy on math, physics, and circuit theory. After graduation, most entry-level jobs that require a license eventually push you toward getting a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
The PE license isn’t usually required to start, but it becomes important for senior roles and for working on projects that need a stamped approval. To get it, you’ll need to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, gain four years of supervised experience, then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Many students take the FE in their senior year.
- Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- Step 2: Take the FE exam (often in final year of college).
- Step 3: Work under a licensed engineer for four years.
- Step 4: Pass the PE exam to become a Professional Engineer.
Job outlook
Employment of electrical engineers is projected to grow 7.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to about 11,700 job openings each year. The growth is driven by demand for new electronic devices, renewable energy systems, and advanced communication networks.
Most openings will be in engineering services, manufacturing, and research and development. The BLS notes that the number of new electrical engineering graduates is roughly enough to fill these slots, so competition is moderate. Specialization in areas like power distribution or embedded systems can improve your odds.
Frequently asked questions
Is $120,630 a typical salary for an electrical engineer?
Yes. The BLS reports a median of $120,630 in 2024. Half earn more, half less. Mean salary is $125,100.
How long does it take to become an electrical engineer?
Four years for a bachelor’s degree, then typically a few more years to get a Professional Engineer license if you choose that route.
What states pay electrical engineers the most?
New Mexico ($158,520), California ($144,040), District of Columbia ($143,000), New Hampshire ($135,710), and Washington ($132,710).
Is electrical engineering a growing field?
Yes. Projected 7.2% growth from 2024–2034, about 11,700 openings per year. Faster than average.
Can I become an electrical engineer without a degree?
Almost impossible. The standard entry is a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Some technicians promote with experience, but that’s rare.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Electrical Engineers data.