The 10 States With The Highest Electrical Engineer Salaries For 2026

In today’s job market, salary remains the top priority for many professionals, especially for electrical engineers. A common question for those in the field is: how much can I expect to earn based on my location?

While individual salaries can vary based on several factors, comprehensive data on average salaries for electrical engineers across the U.S. provides helpful insights into what you might expect. These averages are categorized by state and adjusted by seniority level, giving you a clearer picture of potential earnings in your area.

So, which state currently offers the highest salary for electrical engineers? Let’s explore the top contenders.

Here’s a quick overview of the ten states where electrical engineer salaries are the most competitive:

To gain a deeper understanding of how electrical engineer salaries fluctuate across the country, we analyzed the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, focusing on average salaries by state.

We also considered the cost of living in each state, as this can significantly impact how far your salary will stretch. For instance, your earnings in North Carolina can provide a different standard of living compared to a higher-cost state like California.

Now, let’s dive into the details of how we compiled this information and view the complete ranking of all states.

How We Determined Electrical Engineer Pay By State

We gathered average annual salary data for electrical engineers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure our salary comparisons were consistent, we factored in the cost of living for each state.

We created an index by dividing the average wage of each state by its cost of living relative to the national average. For example, California’s cost of living index is 135.9, and its average pay is $126,640, leading to an index value of:

$126,640 * (100 / 135.9) = $93,186

States were then ranked based on this index, with the highest-ranking state representing the highest average salary for electrical engineers.

Here’s a detailed look at the complete ranking of all states.

Detailed List Of Electrical Engineer Salaries By State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost Of Living
1	Georgia	$123,161	$112,570	91.4
2	Idaho	$121,096	$111,530	92.1
3	Alabama	$119,616	$109,090	91.2
4	New Mexico	$117,772	$113,650	96.5
5	Texas	$117,750	$106,800	90.7
6	Louisiana	$117,067	$110,980	94.8
7	Oklahoma	$113,251	$101,020	89.2
8	Delaware	$113,234	$114,820	101.4
9	Washington	$113,013	$118,890	105.2
10	Iowa	$112,340	$102,230	91.0
11	North Carolina	$110,489	$103,750	93.9
12	Tennessee	$110,324	$98,630	89.4
13	Michigan	$109,853	$97,770	89.0
14	Utah	$109,505	$101,840	93.0
15	Missouri	$109,435	$98,930	90.4
16	Virginia	$109,057	$109,930	100.8
17	Indiana	$107,385	$96,110	89.5
18	Illinois	$105,909	$100,190	94.6
19	Mississippi	$105,681	$90,780	85.9
20	Pennsylvania	$103,934	$105,390	101.4
21	Nebraska	$102,762	$94,130	91.6
22	Kentucky	$102,486	$92,750	90.5
23	West Virginia	$102,334	$95,580	93.4
24	Ohio	$102,324	$95,980	93.8
25	Wyoming	$102,015	$93,650	91.8
26	Arizona	$101,867	$99,830	98.0
27	North Dakota	$101,257	$100,650	99.4
28	Minnesota	$101,101	$101,910	100.8
29	Arkansas	$101,090	$88,050	87.1
30	Colorado	$100,674	$104,500	103.8
31	Kansas	$99,844	$89,760	89.9
32	Nevada	$98,015	$101,250	103.3
33	New Hampshire	$97,333	$113,880	117.0
34	South Carolina	$96,280	$95,510	99.2
35	Florida	$95,900	$94,270	98.3
36	Wisconsin	$95,247	$92,200	96.8
37	Rhode Island	$94,946	$114,600	120.7
38	Maryland	$93,984	$117,950	125.5
39	California	$93,186	$126,640	135.9
40	South Dakota	$92,912	$96,350	103.7
41	New Jersey	$90,303	$110,080	121.9
42	Massachusetts	$88,530	$118,100	133.4
43	Oregon	$88,261	$102,030	115.6
44	Montana	$85,783	$86,470	100.8
45	Maine	$83,709	$92,750	110.8
46	Vermont	$83,253	$100,820	121.1
47	New York	$82,068	$107,510	131.0
48	Connecticut	$81,221	$103,720	127.7
49	Alaska	$77,772	$101,960	131.1
50	Hawaii	$65,491	$109,960	167.9

In summary, understanding the salary landscape for electrical engineers across different states can help you make informed career decisions. By considering factors like cost of living and average wages, you can better evaluate your earning potential and choose a location that aligns with your financial goals.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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