Electrical Engineer Salary

Central Falls vs Pawtucket: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Central Falls, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Central Falls, RI
$115,941
$55.74/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$125,521
$60.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentral Falls, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$115,941$125,521
Hourly Rate$55.74$60.35
Entry Level (P10)$80,015$76,898
25th Percentile$92,398$93,588
75th Percentile$142,337$158,290
Top Earner (P90)$165,401$194,558
Total Employed616
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Central Falls ($115,941) and Pawtucket ($125,521) electrical engineer salaries.Central FallsPawtucketMedian Salary$115,941$125,521Entry Level (P10)$80,015$76,898Top Earner (P90)$165,401$194,558US Median $125,033

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Central Falls.

The salary gap between Central Falls and Pawtucket is $9,580 (8.26%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Central Falls spans $85,386,Pawtucket spans $117,660. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Central Falls
P10 (Entry)$80,015
P25$92,398
Median$115,941
P75$142,337
P90 (Top)$165,401
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$76,898
P25$93,588
Median$125,521
P75$158,290
P90 (Top)$194,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($124,897 effective) pays 8.26% more than Central Falls ($115,364 effective).

Central Falls
Nominal: $115,941
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $115,364
Pawtucket
Nominal: $125,521
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $124,897

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Central Falls if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($125,521/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($194,558)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $124,897)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Central Falls grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

Central Falls, RI

+7.7%

$103,855 (2024) → $111,858 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+7.7%

$112,437 (2024) → $121,101 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Central Falls or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $125,521/year, compared to Central Falls at $115,941/year — a difference of $9,580 (8.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Central Falls and Pawtucket?

Central Falls electrical engineers earn $55.74/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $60.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Central Falls to Pawtucket as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Central Falls and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Central Falls = $115,364, Pawtucket = $124,897), job availability (6 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Central Falls vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $80,015 in Central Falls and $76,898 in Pawtucket. The Central Falls area offers higher starting salaries.
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