Electrical Engineer Salary

Belton vs St. Louis: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Belton, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Belton, MO
$108,393
$52.12/hr
St. Louis, MO
$128,485
$61.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBelton, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$108,393$128,485
Hourly Rate$52.12$61.77
Entry Level (P10)$70,053$80,609
25th Percentile$82,927$96,965
75th Percentile$132,284$171,147
Top Earner (P90)$152,839$171,147
Total Employed61,290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Belton ($108,393) and St. Louis ($128,485) electrical engineer salaries.BeltonSt. LouisMedian Salary$108,393$128,485Entry Level (P10)$70,053$80,609Top Earner (P90)$152,839$171,147US Median $125,033

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Belton.

The salary gap between Belton and St. Louis is $20,092 (18.54%). St. Louis's median is +2.76% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Belton spans $82,786,St. Louis spans $90,538. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Belton
P10 (Entry)$70,053
P25$82,927
Median$108,393
P75$132,284
P90 (Top)$152,839
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$80,609
P25$96,965
Median$128,485
P75$171,147
P90 (Top)$171,147

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($135,122 effective) pays 11.69% more than Belton ($120,974 effective).

Belton
Nominal: $108,393
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $120,974
St. Louis
Nominal: $128,485
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $135,122

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Belton if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,485/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,147)
  • Larger job market (1,290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $135,122)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Belton grew 21.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Belton, MO

+21.0%

$86,407 (2024) → $104,576 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+21.4%

$102,110 (2019) → $123,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Belton or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $128,485/year, compared to Belton at $108,393/year — a difference of $20,092 (18.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Belton and St. Louis?

Belton electrical engineers earn $52.12/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $61.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Belton to St. Louis as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Belton and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Belton = $120,974, St. Louis = $135,122), job availability (6 vs 1,290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Belton vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $70,053 in Belton and $80,609 in St. Louis. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov