Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $84,350 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Philadelphia, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,350 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Philadelphia's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,249 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($132,392) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those embarking on a career as an electrical engineer in Philadelphia, the starting salary presents a promising outlook. A new graduate entering this field can anticipate an entry-level pay around $84,350 in 2026, which is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $132,392. However, there is potential for significant growth; newly hired engineers can see their earnings progress to $103,432 (P25) in just a few years as they gain experience. This growth trajectory makes Philadelphia an attractive market for fresh graduates, particularly given the robust demand for electrical engineers and the city's diverse employment opportunities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia
Entry-level electrical engineers in Philadelphia, PA typically start between $84,350 and $103,432 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,624 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $132,392 — 5.89% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Pennsylvania of $82,000 represents just 97.21% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($84,350/year) in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia
- 1Research the Philadelphia market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $84,350 to $103,432, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Philadelphia's moderate 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 Philadelphia is $102,624 ( 121.66%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,350, experienced hygienists can earn up to $186,974.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,250
2025 BLS Actual
$81,380
2026 Current Est.
$84,350
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,350 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,429 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Philadelphia, PA grew 26.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $64,250 in 2019 to $81,380 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,429. New graduates entering the Philadelphia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
In terms of opportunities, key employers in Philadelphia include semiconductor giants like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, which often seek highly skilled candidates with advanced degrees. While these companies may recruit primarily experienced candidates for chip design roles, they also look for entry-level talent through internships and structured training programs. Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman frequently hire entry-level engineers with security clearances, making it essential for new graduates to consider obtaining these credentials early in their careers. A Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program, the successful completion of the FE exam during senior year, and obtaining EIT status can give candidates a competitive edge. In the first two to three years of employment, new grads can expect steady salary progression, especially if they pursue additional education or gain experience in high-demand areas like semiconductor design or defense industry roles.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 Philadelphia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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