Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Leawood, KS: $75,035 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Leawood, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,035 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leawood's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,547 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,368) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates seeking entry-level positions as electrical engineers in Leawood, Kansas can expect a starting salary with a 10th percentile figure of $75,035. This entry-level pay places them beneath the city’s median annual salary of $109,368, marking a substantial gap for those just starting their careers. Recent grads will likely see growth in their earnings during the first few years, moving from the lower range ($75,035) through the 25th percentile ($84,768) toward the city median. With an annual growth rate projected at 3.65%, Leawood currently presents a favorable job market for emerging electrical engineers, offering them opportunities to advance from this initial salary as they gain experience and skill in the field.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leawood
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
Entry-level electrical engineers in Leawood, KS typically start between $75,035 and $84,768 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,192 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,368 — 12.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 63.97% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($75,035/year) in Leawood. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Leawood
- 1Research the Leawood market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $75,035 to $84,768, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Leawood, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Leawood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leawood's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Leawood is $88,192 ( 117.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,035, experienced hygienists can earn up to $163,227.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,598
2025 BLS Actual
$72,393
2026 Current Est.
$75,035
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,598 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,974 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,556 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,216 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,035 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,774 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Leawood, KS grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,598 in 2019 to $72,393 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $77,774. New graduates entering the Leawood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Leawood
Several major employers in Leawood hire newly minted electrical engineers, including key players in the semiconductor sector like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, which are known for recruiting top-tier graduates. These companies often provide robust career paths that include structured onboarding and potential for stock options. Defense contractors such as Lockheed and Northrop regularly recruit through established internship programs and prioritize candidates with security clearances, which can significantly enhance earning potential. Additionally, local utilities and power systems firms often seek entry-level engineers through specialized training programs. To strengthen their prospects, candidates should consider obtaining licensure through the FE exam, work experience for a PE license, or even a master's degree to open doors in higher-paying areas like chip design. Evaluating these credentials and industry demands can lead to realistic salary growth expectations in the first few years, particularly as those in the semiconductor industry command better pay compared to more traditional roles.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Leawood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov