Electrical Engineer Salary in Manhattan, KS: $114,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Manhattan, KS earns a median $114,288/year (≈ $54.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Manhattan's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $125,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, an electrical engineer in Manhattan, Kansas, draws a median annual salary of $114,288, reflecting a competitive figure in the local job market. The salary spectrum spans from $70,777 at the 10th percentile to $169,828 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust range of earning potential within this profession. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted by regional cost factors. Compared to the national median of $125,033, salaries in Manhattan are approximately 8.59% lower, suggesting that while local pay may lag behind national averages, the job market here presents promising opportunities for electrical engineers, especially in the context of security clearance roles.
About the Manhattan Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,777 | $34.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,133 | $41.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,288 | $54.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,544 | $68.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,828 | $81.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
In Manhattan, KS, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,051 (2026 est.). At $114,288, the local median is 8.59% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manhattan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manhattan Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Manhattan median: $114,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manhattan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $113,606 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -8.59% less |
Electrical Engineers in Manhattan, KS earn a median of $114,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.59% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.60% above the Kansas state average of $113,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manhattan has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manhattan, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $114,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $125,729 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,062
2025 BLS Actual
$110,263
2026 Current Est.
$114,288
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,062 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,441 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manhattan metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $90,062 (2019) to $110,263 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,397 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,777 – $86,133 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,133 – $114,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,288 – $142,544 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,544 – $169,828 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Manhattan
Consider the broader job market context with only 14 electrical engineers currently employed in Manhattan, KS. The local cost of living index is set at 90.9, which means that salaries may go further compared to more expensive regions, enhancing the effective purchasing power of engineers in this area. Industries such as semiconductor and chip design, represented by major firms like Intel and AMD, offer the highest pay potential. However, defense contractors that require security clearances, like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, are increasingly attractive due to their premium salaries for cleared positions. To maximize earnings in Manhattan, engineers should consider pursuing advanced credentials such as a PhD or PE license, target high-paying sectors, and consider the trade-off between management roles versus individual contributor positions to optimize their career trajectories in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Manhattan, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,263 for electrical engineersin the Manhattan metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Manhattan 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