Electrical Engineer Salary

Cleveland vs Upper Arlington: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$102,147
$49.11/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$98,223
$47.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$102,147$98,223
Hourly Rate$49.11$47.22
Entry Level (P10)$75,146$64,849
25th Percentile$83,065$76,512
75th Percentile$128,837$124,157
Top Earner (P90)$141,037$143,484
Total Employed1,1809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($102,147) and Upper Arlington ($98,223) electrical engineer salaries.ClevelandUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$102,147$98,223Entry Level (P10)$75,146$64,849Top Earner (P90)$141,037$143,484US Median $125,033

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Upper Arlington is $3,924 (3.99%). Cleveland's median is -18.30% 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,Upper Arlington spans $78,635. Upper Arlington 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
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$64,849
P25$76,512
Median$98,223
P75$124,157
P90 (Top)$143,484

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($108,756 effective) pays 0.43% more than Upper Arlington ($108,294 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $102,147
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $108,756
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $98,223
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $108,294

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,147/year)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,756)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($143,484)
  • 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 Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.7%

$82,350 (2019) → $98,550 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+2.1%

$92,832 (2024) → $94,764 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Cleveland or Upper Arlington?

Cleveland has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $102,147/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $98,223/year — a difference of $3,924 (3.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Upper Arlington?

Cleveland electrical engineers earn $49.11/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $47.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Upper Arlington as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $108,756, Upper Arlington = $108,294), job availability (1,180 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $75,146 in Cleveland and $64,849 in Upper Arlington. 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