Electrical Engineer Salary

Columbus vs Pooler: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Columbus, GA and Pooler, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$102,126
$49.10/hr
Pooler, GA
$107,207
$51.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GAPooler, GA
Median Salary$102,126$107,207
Hourly Rate$49.10$51.55
Entry Level (P10)$79,437$66,154
25th Percentile$79,437$86,542
75th Percentile$136,932$132,199
Top Earner (P90)$163,570$154,827
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($102,126) and Pooler ($107,207) electrical engineer salaries.ColumbusPoolerMedian Salary$102,126$107,207Entry Level (P10)$79,437$66,154Top Earner (P90)$163,570$154,827US Median $125,033

Verdict

Columbus and Pooler are closely matched on overall electrical engineer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Columbus and Pooler is $5,081 (4.98%). Pooler's median is -14.26% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $84,133,Pooler spans $88,673. Pooler has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$79,437
P25$79,437
Median$102,126
P75$136,932
P90 (Top)$163,570
Pooler
P10 (Entry)$66,154
P25$86,542
Median$107,207
P75$132,199
P90 (Top)$154,827

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pooler ($115,153 effective) pays 0.69% more than Columbus ($114,368 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $102,126
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $114,368
Pooler
Nominal: $107,207
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $115,153

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($163,570)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Pooler if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,207/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,153)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Columbus grew 3.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.1% growth in Pooler over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+3.3%

$95,380 (2019) → $98,530 (2025)

Pooler, GA

+4.1%

$99,330 (2024) → $103,432 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Columbus or Pooler?

Pooler has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $107,207/year, compared to Columbus at $102,126/year — a difference of $5,081 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Pooler?

Columbus electrical engineers earn $49.10/hr while Pooler hygienists earn $51.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Pooler as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Pooler. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $114,368, Pooler = $115,153), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Columbus vs Pooler?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $79,437 in Columbus and $66,154 in Pooler. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov