Electrical Engineer Salary

Cleveland vs Hamilton: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Cleveland, OH and Hamilton, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$102,147
$49.11/hr
Hamilton, OH
$103,687
$49.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHHamilton, OH
Median Salary$102,147$103,687
Hourly Rate$49.11$49.85
Entry Level (P10)$75,146$63,668
25th Percentile$83,065$77,497
75th Percentile$128,837$128,746
Top Earner (P90)$141,037$160,716
Total Employed1,18011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($102,147) and Hamilton ($103,687) electrical engineer salaries.ClevelandHamiltonMedian Salary$102,147$103,687Entry Level (P10)$75,146$63,668Top Earner (P90)$141,037$160,716US Median $125,033

Verdict

Hamilton, OH offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Hamilton is $1,540 (1.51%). Hamilton's median is -17.07% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $65,891,Hamilton spans $97,048. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$75,146
P25$83,065
Median$102,147
P75$128,837
P90 (Top)$141,037
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$63,668
P25$77,497
Median$103,687
P75$128,746
P90 (Top)$160,716

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($114,319 effective) pays 5.11% more than Cleveland ($108,756 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $102,147
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $108,756
Hamilton
Nominal: $103,687
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $114,319

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,687/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($160,716)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,319)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Cleveland grew 19.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in Hamilton over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.7%

$82,350 (2019) → $98,550 (2025)

Hamilton, OH

+2.1%

$97,997 (2024) → $100,036 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Cleveland or Hamilton?

Hamilton has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $103,687/year, compared to Cleveland at $102,147/year — a difference of $1,540 (1.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Hamilton?

Cleveland electrical engineers earn $49.11/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $49.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Hamilton as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $108,756, Hamilton = $114,319), job availability (1,180 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Cleveland vs Hamilton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $75,146 in Cleveland and $63,668 in Hamilton. The Cleveland 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