Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071) employed 198,750 people in May 2025. The median pay is $120,630 a year ($58.00 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $76,550 and the highest-paid 10% more than $184,300. BLS projects its employment to change by +9.9% between 2025 and 2035 (about 11,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: New Mexico ($158,520), California ($144,040), District of Columbia ($143,000). Most jobs: California (24,230), Texas (20,870), Michigan (10,840).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| 25th percentile | $92,830 | $44.63 |
| Median | $120,630 | $58.00 |
| Mean | $125,100 | $60.14 |
| 75th percentile | $152,950 | $73.53 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $184,300 | $88.61 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 199,700 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 219,500 |
| Change in jobs | 19,800 |
| Percent change | +9.9% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 11,400 |
| Self-employed share | 0.5% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,600 | 1.70 | $125,630 | $77,840 | $180,220 | +4% | 10% |
| Alaska | 350 | 0.83 | $125,970 | $82,360 | $177,110 | +4% | 14% |
| Arizona | 5,370 | 1.30 | $100,550 | $75,560 | $165,510 | -17% | 20% |
| Arkansas | 900 | 0.54 | $96,860 | $67,920 | $136,770 | -20% | 12% |
| California | 24,230 | 1.04 | $144,040 | $81,840 | $217,760 | +19% | 18% |
| Colorado | 4,200 | 1.14 | $120,760 | $81,720 | $177,310 | +0% | 18% |
| Connecticut | 2,930 | 1.35 | $104,160 | $82,300 | $162,290 | -14% | 18% |
| Delaware | 660 | 1.07 | $126,970 | $83,600 | $152,060 | +5% | 14% |
| District of Columbia | 330 | 0.37 | $143,000 | $87,450 | $195,190 | +19% | 16% |
| Florida | 9,220 | 0.73 | $104,780 | $65,090 | $164,210 | -13% | 21% |
| Georgia | 5,950 | 0.95 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hawaii | 1,080 | 1.35 | $106,350 | $73,890 | $156,580 | -12% | 22% |
| Idaho | 1,000 | 0.91 | $129,340 | $77,070 | $165,410 | +7% | 13% |
| Illinois | 5,460 | 0.70 | $107,860 | $75,470 | $164,290 | -11% | 15% |
| Indiana | 4,000 | 0.98 | $102,670 | $69,290 | $152,480 | -15% | 13% |
| Iowa | 1,280 | 0.64 | $105,820 | $76,720 | $155,460 | -12% | 11% |
| Kansas | 2,100 | 1.14 | $102,630 | $72,230 | $159,650 | -15% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 1,540 | 0.60 | $98,550 | $63,270 | $138,460 | -18% | 12% |
| Louisiana | 990 | 0.40 | $123,710 | $77,210 | $178,330 | +3% | 10% |
| Maine | 1,150 | 1.40 | $114,620 | $78,930 | $161,230 | -5% | 13% |
| Maryland | 4,650 | 1.32 | $125,150 | $76,650 | $194,810 | +4% | 17% |
| Massachusetts | 5,040 | 1.08 | $127,720 | $78,140 | $176,470 | +6% | 17% |
| Michigan | 10,840 | 1.93 | $106,070 | $75,880 | $159,090 | -12% | 13% |
| Minnesota | 3,150 | 0.84 | $109,510 | $78,750 | $167,030 | -9% | 14% |
| Mississippi | 1,130 | 0.76 | $104,990 | $60,130 | $156,140 | -13% | 11% |
| Missouri | 2,410 | 0.64 | $118,670 | $77,620 | $166,710 | -2% | 11% |
| Montana | 790 | 1.21 | $87,360 | $72,910 | $133,180 | -28% | 16% |
| Nebraska | 1,060 | 0.81 | $107,260 | $66,820 | $135,270 | -11% | 12% |
| Nevada | 1,100 | 0.56 | $107,400 | $77,000 | $167,330 | -11% | 19% |
| New Hampshire | 1,600 | 1.83 | $135,710 | $92,700 | $202,790 | +13% | 14% |
| New Jersey | 2,940 | 0.54 | $125,370 | $80,630 | $174,450 | +4% | 17% |
| New Mexico | 2,560 | 2.30 | $158,520 | $102,880 | $202,680 | +31% | 8% |
| New York | 8,770 | 0.71 | $119,010 | $74,870 | $168,820 | -1% | 16% |
| North Carolina | 7,090 | 1.12 | $110,130 | $66,800 | $203,490 | -9% | 15% |
| North Dakota | 260 | 0.47 | $110,810 | $77,350 | $155,520 | -8% | 11% |
| Ohio | 6,360 | 0.90 | $100,620 | $72,690 | $149,390 | -17% | 13% |
| Oklahoma | 2,080 | 0.96 | $107,760 | $74,060 | $187,140 | -11% | 12% |
| Oregon | 2,540 | 1.01 | $125,160 | $83,500 | $166,240 | +4% | 15% |
| Pennsylvania | 6,970 | 0.90 | $110,820 | $77,650 | $167,260 | -8% | 14% |
| Rhode Island | 670 | 1.05 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | 3,490 | 1.18 | $98,440 | $69,260 | $156,330 | -18% | 16% |
| South Dakota | 530 | 0.91 | $98,980 | $69,580 | $138,210 | -18% | 12% |
| Tennessee | 2,830 | 0.68 | $104,450 | $73,850 | $166,210 | -13% | 15% |
| Texas | 20,870 | 1.16 | $129,450 | $76,120 | $210,160 | +7% | 14% |
| Utah | 1,680 | 0.76 | $105,720 | $77,100 | $171,580 | -12% | 18% |
| Vermont | 820 | 2.11 | $111,310 | $81,040 | $175,710 | -8% | 14% |
| Virginia | 7,260 | 1.38 | $119,030 | $80,320 | $173,400 | -1% | 17% |
| Washington | 7,610 | 1.68 | $132,710 | $85,540 | $185,690 | +10% | 16% |
| West Virginia | 500 | 0.55 | $113,420 | $76,830 | $156,250 | -6% | 9% |
| Wisconsin | 3,550 | 0.94 | $99,700 | $74,850 | $132,990 | -17% | 14% |
| Wyoming | 280 | 0.78 | $111,740 | $60,760 | $146,990 | -7% | 11% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 4,160 | $187,060 | $116,900 | $258,100 | 2.87 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,470 | $166,030 | $97,500 | $219,070 | 0.81 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,280 | $163,720 | $104,230 | $202,680 | 2.47 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 1,050 | $159,360 | $96,850 | $202,790 | 4.10 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 4,070 | $145,360 | $81,960 | $212,900 | 2.46 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,930 | $140,210 | $98,130 | $202,430 | 1.85 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 8,970 | $139,780 | $79,230 | $209,460 | 1.12 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,420 | $136,190 | $81,140 | $196,930 | 1.03 |
| Fresno, CA | 400 | $134,780 | $83,520 | $179,540 | 0.65 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 350 | $133,030 | $79,100 | $190,880 | 0.68 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 5,770 | $131,070 | $77,170 | $207,990 | 1.37 |
| Huntsville, AL | 2,190 | $130,330 | $85,420 | $208,130 | 6.42 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,500 | $130,240 | $73,380 | $221,050 | 1.58 |
| Boulder, CO | 530 | $130,170 | $83,200 | $206,990 | 2.17 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 460 | $129,880 | $86,610 | $189,630 | 1.12 |
| Boise City, ID | 590 | $129,790 | $77,070 | $165,350 | 1.17 |
| Worcester, MA | 480 | $129,720 | $80,060 | $163,140 | 1.08 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,020 | $129,030 | $78,280 | $213,300 | 2.31 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 430 | $128,960 | $85,990 | $176,790 | 0.84 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 420 | $128,900 | $88,300 | $175,750 | 4.62 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 4,030 | $128,610 | $78,800 | $176,470 | 1.17 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 6,290 | $128,340 | $81,440 | $171,030 | 0.52 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 450 | $128,190 | $100,350 | $176,560 | 2.74 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,320 | $128,080 | $84,250 | $164,720 | 1.50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,520 | $127,730 | $81,380 | $180,390 | 0.95 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,400 | $127,270 | $80,080 | $204,610 | 1.22 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 460 | $126,960 | $86,610 | $163,720 | 1.06 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 4,450 | $126,420 | $84,820 | $195,190 | 1.11 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 360 | $124,570 | $63,890 | $191,680 | 1.74 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 5,720 | $124,390 | $76,720 | $205,040 | 1.11 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 1,290 | $123,960 | $77,770 | $165,120 | 0.75 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 440 | $123,840 | $81,120 | $163,280 | 1.29 |
| Asheville, NC | 300 | $123,480 | $73,190 | $149,140 | 1.31 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 320 | $122,100 | $79,950 | $160,430 | 0.98 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 960 | $122,020 | $77,810 | $165,020 | 3.05 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2,010 | $119,080 | $75,810 | $159,060 | 1.11 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,620 | $119,020 | $80,350 | $196,110 | 1.27 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 910 | $118,260 | $73,790 | $187,140 | 1.05 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 540 | $118,250 | $86,020 | $168,590 | 1.33 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 440 | $117,480 | $76,800 | $201,270 | 0.94 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,690 | $117,470 | $78,390 | $177,130 | 3.40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 2,410 | $117,230 | $82,080 | $168,280 | 0.96 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,160 | $116,760 | $80,730 | $159,310 | 1.38 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2,770 | $116,650 | $66,630 | $203,210 | 1.59 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 570 | $116,480 | $74,530 | $165,610 | 0.58 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 830 | $114,710 | $78,000 | $197,950 | 0.91 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 6,060 | $114,390 | $80,610 | $160,110 | 2.49 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 650 | $113,760 | $80,740 | $161,230 | 1.77 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 4,290 | $113,520 | $76,660 | $165,890 | 0.74 |
| Birmingham, AL | 900 | $112,960 | $64,630 | $166,820 | 1.35 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 590 | $112,200 | $81,040 | $175,710 | 3.82 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 410 | $111,500 | $77,010 | $188,020 | 0.85 |
| Syracuse, NY | 700 | $111,070 | $76,100 | $162,590 | 1.81 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,760 | $110,740 | $78,080 | $166,710 | 1.25 |
| Ogden, UT | 390 | $110,520 | $77,100 | $179,130 | 1.14 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 590 | $110,030 | $75,540 | $162,450 | 1.18 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,150 | $109,990 | $76,570 | $166,680 | 0.53 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 810 | $109,240 | $75,210 | $159,090 | 2.89 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 370 | $108,700 | $76,150 | $141,390 | 0.80 |
| Knoxville, TN | 630 | $108,590 | $75,120 | $166,210 | 1.16 |
The median is $120,630 a year ($58.00 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $76,550 and the highest-paid tenth over $184,300 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
198,750 in May 2025, and BLS projects +9.9% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
New Mexico, with a median of $158,520 (among states with published figures).