Electrical Engineer Salary

Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Pewaukee, WI: $65,674 (2026)

Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Pewaukee, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,674 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pewaukee's local price level (BEA RPP 93.47% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,315 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,560) within a few years of clinical practice.

$65,674
Starting Salary
$31.57/hr
Starting Hourly
$65,674
Entry Level
$99,560
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electrical Engineer Entry Level Salary in Pewaukee, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Pewaukee, WI electrical engineer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, can expect a starting salary around $65,674, which is notably lower than the city median of $99,560. For early-career engineers, this creates a substantial gap that defines the experience level and skill development needed. Within the first three to five years, these salaries can grow progressively, with expectations reaching approximately $77,135 as they move closer to the median. For graduates considering their career options in this city, Pewaukee remains a viable market, offering opportunities to enter the profession, albeit at slightly lower entry-level pay in comparison to national figures, specifically against a projected national median of $125,033.

About the Pewaukee Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Pewaukee

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$65,674/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$77,135/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$99,560/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$122,413/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pewaukee

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electrical engineers in Pewaukee. The median salary is $99,560, compared to the national median of $125,033.$59.1K$80.7K$102.2K$123.8K$145.4K$65.7K10th Pctl$77.1K25th Pctl$99.6KMedian$122.4K75th Pctl$138.4K90th PctlUS Median$125.0K

Entry-level electrical engineers in Pewaukee, WI typically start between $65,674 and $77,135 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,764 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,56020.37% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrical engineer pay in the Pewaukee metro area.

Return on Investment

$55,000
Avg WI Program Cost
$65,674
Starting Salary
83.75%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average electrical engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 83.75% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($65,674/year) in Pewaukee. 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 Pewaukee

  • 1Research the Pewaukee market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $65,674 to $77,135, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pewaukee, 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 Pewaukee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Pewaukee'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 Pewaukee is $72,764 ( 110.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,674, experienced hygienists can earn up to $138,438.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$52,162

2025 BLS Actual

$63,361

2026 Current Est.

$65,674

2019–2027 Growth

+30.5%

Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pewaukee (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electrical engineers in Pewaukee. Baseline $52,162 in 2025, projected to $68,071 by 2027.$48.3K$54.1K$59.8K$65.6K$71.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$52.2K$53.7K$51.6K$54.2K$57.4K$66.7K$63.4K$65.7K$68.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$52,162Actual
2020$53,693Actual
2021$51,616Actual
2022$54,198Actual
2023$57,377Actual
2024$66,738Actual
2025$63,361Actual
2026(current)$65,674Estimated
2027$68,071Projected

Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Pewaukee, WI grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,162 in 2019 to $63,361 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,071. New graduates entering the Pewaukee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pewaukee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Pewaukee

In Pewaukee, several key employers are actively recruiting entry-level electrical engineers, mainly in the semiconductor sector. Firms such as Apple, Nvidia, and Intel look for candidates with advanced degrees for chip design roles, while defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman often prefer those who have completed security clearances and internships for more specialized positions. Utilities, in contrast, tend to draw recent graduates into structured training programs for power systems. Credentials such as a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam can enhance the starting electrical engineer salary in Pewaukee. In the initial years, particularly in semiconductor roles, engineers may experience faster salary growth compared to those in utility positions, with annual increases reflecting the sector's dynamic nature. Gaining experience and pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) will significantly influence salary trajectories during the first three years, especially for those eyed for higher-paying defense and tech openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Pewaukee in 2026?

Entry-level electrical engineers in Pewaukee start at approximately $65,674/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.65% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $31.57/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Pewaukee?

Most electrical engineers in Pewaukee progress from the entry-level salary of $65,674 to the area median of $99,560 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $138,438 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is electrical engineering school worth it in Pewaukee?

With a starting salary of $65,674/year in Pewaukee and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new electrical engineers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in Pewaukee?

New electrical engineering graduates in Pewaukee typically start near the 10th percentile at $65,674/year, or approximately $31.57/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a electrical engineer in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed electrical engineer in Wisconsin, you typically need bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an abet-accredited program (4 years). master's degree (msee) or phd common for research, specialty, or leadership roles. professional engineer (pe) license required for engineers who sign off on public projects — requires fe exam, 4 years experience, then pe exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wisconsin, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some electrical engineers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

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

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 Pewaukee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Pewaukee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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