Electrical Engineer Salary

Birmingham vs Florence: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Birmingham, AL and Florence, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$117,083
$56.29/hr
Florence, AL
$136,124
$65.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALFlorence, AL
Median Salary$117,083$136,124
Hourly Rate$56.29$65.44
Entry Level (P10)$66,989$79,779
25th Percentile$89,833$108,200
75th Percentile$143,421$140,404
Top Earner (P90)$172,909$164,285
Total Employed90050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($117,083) and Florence ($136,124) electrical engineer salaries.BirminghamFlorenceMedian Salary$117,083$136,124Entry Level (P10)$66,989$79,779Top Earner (P90)$172,909$164,285US Median $125,033

Verdict

Birmingham and Florence are closely matched on overall electrical engineer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Florence is $19,041 (16.26%). Florence's median is +8.87% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $105,920,Florence spans $84,506. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$66,989
P25$89,833
Median$117,083
P75$143,421
P90 (Top)$172,909
Florence
P10 (Entry)$79,779
P25$108,200
Median$136,124
P75$140,404
P90 (Top)$164,285

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Florence ($160,491 effective) pays 25.62% more than Birmingham ($127,759 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $117,083
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $127,759
Florence
Nominal: $136,124
CoL Index: 84.817
Adjusted: $160,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($172,909)
  • Larger job market (900 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Florence if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,124/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $160,491)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Birmingham grew 19.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.1% growth in Florence over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+19.7%

$94,330 (2019) → $112,960 (2025)

Florence, AL

+17.1%

$112,180 (2019) → $131,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Birmingham or Florence?

Florence has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $136,124/year, compared to Birmingham at $117,083/year — a difference of $19,041 (16.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Florence?

Birmingham electrical engineers earn $56.29/hr while Florence hygienists earn $65.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Florence as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Florence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $127,759, Florence = $160,491), job availability (900 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Birmingham vs Florence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $66,989 in Birmingham and $79,779 in Florence. The Florence 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