Electrical engineering spans an enormous range of specializations—from power grid design to semiconductor chips to embedded firmware. Salaries reflect this diversity, with some specializations significantly outpacing others.
Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | Entry (BS degree) | $70,000-$90,000 |
| 3-7 years | Mid-level EE | $90,000-$120,000 |
| 7-12 years | Senior EE | $118,000-$155,000 |
| 12+ years | Principal / Staff EE | $150,000-$195,000 |
| Management | Engineering Manager | $140,000-$185,000 |
Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Median Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor / IC design | $130,000-$200,000 | VLSI, mixed-signal, analog IC |
| RF / Microwave engineer | $110,000-$165,000 | Defense, telecom, 5G |
| Power electronics | $100,000-$150,000 | EVs, renewable energy |
| Embedded systems engineer | $100,000-$145,000 | Firmware/hardware hybrid; high demand |
| Power systems engineer | $95,000-$135,000 | Utilities, grid, commercial |
| Controls engineer | $95,000-$135,000 | Industrial automation, aerospace |
| PCB / hardware design | $90,000-$130,000 | Consumer electronics, defense |
| Field applications engineer | $90,000-$130,000 | Sales-adjacent; customer-facing |
| Electrical project engineer | $85,000-$120,000 | Construction / commercial projects |
Electrical Engineer Salary by Industry
| Industry | Median Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semiconductor / chip design | $130,000-$195,000 | Highest in the field |
| Defense and aerospace | $105,000-$145,000 | Classified projects; clearance premium |
| Electric vehicles | $110,000-$155,000 | Fast-growing; power electronics premium |
| Renewable energy | $100,000-$140,000 | Solar, wind, battery storage |
| Consumer electronics | $100,000-$140,000 | Competitive; large tech companies |
| Telecommunications | $100,000-$140,000 | 5G/wireless strong segment |
| Utilities / power industry | $90,000-$125,000 | Stable; PE required for advancement |
| Manufacturing / industrial | $85,000-$115,000 | Near median |
| Construction (electrical PE) | $85,000-$120,000 | PE required; government projects |
PE License Impact by Sector
| Context | PE Relevance | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Power systems / utilities | Required for senior roles | +15-25% vs. unlicensed |
| Commercial building / MEP | Required to stamp drawings | Opens project lead and senior roles |
| Industrial controls | Sometimes required | +5-15% at PE-required firms |
| Semiconductor / chip design | Rarely required | No significant impact |
| Embedded systems / firmware | Not relevant | No impact |
| Defense / aerospace | Sometimes required | Varies by project |
Electrical Engineer Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | $120,000 | Semiconductor (Silicon Valley), defense, tech |
| Washington | $115,000 | Aerospace, tech |
| Texas | $108,000 | Semiconductor (Samsung, TI), energy, defense |
| Massachusetts | $115,000 | Defense, biotech, research |
| Arizona | $108,000 | Intel, semiconductor manufacturing |
| Virginia | $108,000 | Defense contractors |
| National median | $105,000 | BLS composite |
Maximizing Electrical Engineer Salary
| Strategy | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|
| Transition to semiconductor/chip design | $130,000-$195,000 for experienced engineers |
| Develop EV power electronics expertise | Premium growing as EV adoption expands |
| Pursue PE license for power sector | Required for advancement; +15-20% premium |
| Add FPGA skills (Xilinx/Intel) | +$10,000-$20,000 in defense/aerospace |
| Move to defense with security clearance | +$20,000-$40,000 for cleared positions |
| Develop embedded software alongside hardware | Hybrid EE/software engineers in high demand |