Electrical Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $134,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $134,994/year (≈ $64.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $137,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Electrical engineers in Raleigh, North Carolina, earn a median annual salary of $134,994 in 2026, reflecting a robust market that exceeds the national median by nearly 8%. The salary range for this profession extends from $76,058 at the 10th percentile to $229,118 at the 90th percentile, underscoring significant earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, suggest a diverse landscape for electrical engineer pay in Raleigh, particularly influenced by the choice between an individual contributor (IC) track and management roles. Those advancing into management can expect substantial total compensation jumps, indicative of the varying career paths within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,058 | $36.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,283 | $41.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,994 | $64.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,490 | $84.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,118 | $110.15 |
Median Salary Position
7.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,060 (2026 est.). At $134,994, the local median is 7.97% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $134,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $108,954 | +23.90% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +7.97% more |
Electrical Engineers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $134,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 23.90% above the North Carolina state average of $108,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $134,994 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,180
2025 BLS Actual
$130,240
2026 Current Est.
$134,994
2019–2027 Growth
+58.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,921 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 47.7% from $88,180 (2019) to $130,240 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,921 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,741 (58.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $76,058 – $85,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,283 – $134,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,994 – $175,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,490 – $229,118 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Raleigh
Raleigh's job market is thriving, with approximately 1,500 electrical engineers currently employed in the area, offering a competitive edge in capturing new talent and expanding opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 98.157, slightly below the national average, allowing for greater purchasing power despite the rising salaries. Significant employers in the region include notable tech firms like Apple and Nvidia, known for high compensation in semiconductor and chip design, as well as defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman that offer salary premiums for positions requiring security clearance. The variation in pay reflects the industry sectors present, with positions in semiconductor design typically commanding the highest salaries followed by cleared defense roles. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals should consider obtaining relevant certifications, advancing toward PE licenses, and weighing opportunities in high-paying sectors.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $130,240 for electrical engineersin the Raleigh 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
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