Decoding Your Worth: A Guide to Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salaries in 2024
Embarking on a career as an electrical engineer is an exciting prospect. You are stepping into a field that powers our modern world, from the microchips in our phones to the vast grids that light our cities. But beyond the intellectual rewards, a career in electrical engineering offers significant financial potential. For those just starting, a common and crucial question is: "What can I expect to earn?"
The answer is encouraging. An entry-level electrical engineer can expect a competitive starting salary, often ranging from $70,000 to over $90,000 per year, with a national average hovering around the high $70s to low $80s. This article will provide a data-driven breakdown of what you can expect and the key factors that will shape your earning potential.
What Does an Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Do?
Before diving into the numbers, let's clarify the role. An entry-level electrical engineer is a recent graduate (typically with 0-2 years of experience) who works under the supervision of senior engineers. They are the architects of the modern world's electrical systems, applying principles of physics, mathematics, and electronics to design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment.
Their daily responsibilities can be incredibly diverse and may include:
- Designing and testing circuits for computers, consumer electronics, or medical devices.
- Assisting in the development of schematics using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software.
- Analyzing and troubleshooting technical problems in electrical systems.
- Collaborating with project teams on the development of communication systems, power generation equipment, or navigation systems.
- Writing technical reports and documentation for projects.
Average Electrical Engineer Salary: The Full Spectrum
To understand your starting salary, it's helpful to see the full career trajectory. While entry-level salaries are strong, the potential for growth is a key attraction of this profession.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for all electrical and electronics engineers was $105,570 as of May 2022. This figure represents the midpoint for all engineers in the field, from recent graduates to seasoned experts.
For those just entering the workforce, salary aggregators provide a more focused picture:
- Salary.com reports the median salary for an "Electrical Engineer I" (their designation for entry-level) is around $80,201, with a typical range falling between $73,735 and $87,144.
- Payscale places the average entry-level electrical engineer salary at approximately $75,500 per year.
- Glassdoor reports a national average base pay of around $83,600 for entry-level positions, based on user-submitted data.
These figures show a strong consensus: a starting salary in the mid-$70,000s to low-$80,000s is a reasonable expectation, with top candidates in high-demand areas earning even more.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your starting salary isn't a single, fixed number. It's a dynamic figure influenced by a combination of your qualifications, where you work, and what you do. Understanding these factors is key to maximizing your earning potential.
Level of Education
Your educational foundation is the first building block of your salary.
- Bachelor's Degree: A Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) is the standard requirement for most entry-level positions. This degree is your ticket into the profession and qualifies you for the salary ranges discussed above.
- Master's Degree: Pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) can provide a significant advantage. It often allows you to command a higher starting salary—potentially 5-15% more than a candidate with only a bachelor's degree. More importantly, it qualifies you for specialized, high-demand roles in areas like research and development (R&D), semiconductor design, or advanced signal processing, which have higher long-term earning potential.
Years of Experience
While this article focuses on entry-level roles, it's motivating to see how salary progresses with experience. This is one of the most significant factors in salary growth.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): $70,000 - $90,000+
- Mid-Level (3-7 years): $90,000 - $125,000+
- Senior/Principal (8+ years): $125,000 - $175,000+, with top experts in management or specialized technical roles earning well over $200,000.
Geographic Location
Where you work matters—a lot. Salaries for electrical engineers vary significantly by state and metropolitan area, largely due to the concentration of certain industries and the local cost of living. States with major tech, defense, or energy hubs typically offer the highest salaries.
Here are some of the top-paying states for electrical engineers, according to BLS data:
| State | Annual Mean Wage (All Experience Levels) | Why It Pays Well |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| California | $136,530 | Silicon Valley tech, aerospace, defense |
| Washington | $130,490 | Major tech and aerospace companies |
| Massachusetts | $127,140 | Tech, robotics, and defense sectors |
| Maryland | $126,810 | Government, defense contracting |
| New Jersey | $124,190 | Telecommunications, pharmaceuticals |
Important Note: A higher salary doesn't always mean more take-home pay. A $95,000 salary in San Jose, California, may have less purchasing power than an $80,000 salary in Austin, Texas, due to the vast difference in housing, taxes, and daily expenses. Always consider the cost-of-living when evaluating job offers.
Company Type and Industry
The industry you choose to apply your skills in has a direct impact on your compensation. Industries with high profit margins and intense competition for talent tend to pay more.
- Semiconductor & Computer Hardware: Companies like Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD are at the forefront of innovation and pay top dollar for talent in chip design and verification.
- Aerospace & Defense: Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman consistently hire EEs for sophisticated electronics and communications systems, often offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits.
- Consumer Electronics & Tech: Working for giants like Apple, Google, or Microsoft on next-generation devices and infrastructure is highly lucrative.
- Energy & Utilities: This stable sector offers solid salaries, especially for engineers specializing in power systems, smart grids, and renewable energy integration.
- Scientific R&D: These roles, often requiring advanced degrees, are some of the highest-paying in the field, focusing on cutting-edge research.
Area of Specialization
Within the broad field of electrical engineering, certain specializations are in higher demand. Developing expertise in one of these areas can make you a more valuable—and higher-paid—candidate.
- Semiconductors / VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration): The backbone of all modern computing. Engineers who design and test microchips are in perpetual demand.
- Radio Frequency (RF) / Wireless Communications: Essential for everything from 5G and satellite communications to IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
- Power Systems & Renewable Energy: With the global shift towards green energy, engineers who can design and manage power grids, solar arrays, and wind farms are critical.
- Embedded Systems: These are the mini-computers that run everything from your car's engine control unit to smart home devices. This skill is highly sought after across many industries.
- Signal Processing (DSP): Crucial for audio, video, and data communication, this specialization is vital in telecommunications, defense, and consumer electronics.
Job Outlook
The future for electrical engineers is bright. According to the BLS, employment for electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is fueled by an increasing demand for consumer electronics, the expansion of renewable energy systems, the automation of manufacturing processes, and continued innovation in telecommunications and robotics. This steady demand ensures a high degree of job security and continued salary growth for those entering the field.
Conclusion: Your Starting Point for a Powerful Career
An entry-level electrical engineering salary is more than just a paycheck; it's the launchpad for a rewarding and lucrative career. While national averages provide a helpful baseline—typically $75,000 to $85,000—your actual starting offer will be a unique reflection of your education, skills, location, and the industry you target.
For prospective engineers, the key takeaway is clear: your career and salary are in your control. By focusing on high-demand specializations, pursuing continuous learning (including a potential Master's degree), and strategically choosing your location and industry, you can build a highly successful and financially rewarding career at the forefront of technological innovation.