Electrical Engineer Salary

Columbus vs Oxford: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$106,117
$51.02/hr
Oxford, OH
$97,796
$47.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$106,117$97,796
Hourly Rate$51.02$47.02
Entry Level (P10)$78,349$62,765
25th Percentile$86,558$80,629
75th Percentile$131,459$119,050
Top Earner (P90)$155,641$143,369
Total Employed1,1006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($106,117) and Oxford ($97,796) electrical engineer salaries.ColumbusOxfordMedian Salary$106,117$97,796Entry Level (P10)$78,349$62,765Top Earner (P90)$155,641$143,369US Median $125,033

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxford.

The salary gap between Columbus and Oxford is $8,321 (8.51%). Columbus's median is -15.13% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $77,292,Oxford spans $80,604. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$78,349
P25$86,558
Median$106,117
P75$131,459
P90 (Top)$155,641
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$62,765
P25$80,629
Median$97,796
P75$119,050
P90 (Top)$143,369

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($111,153 effective) pays 3.09% more than Oxford ($107,824 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $106,117
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $111,153
Oxford
Nominal: $97,796
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $107,824

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,117/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($155,641)
  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,153)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Columbus grew 21.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+21.7%

$84,110 (2019) → $102,380 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+2.1%

$92,429 (2024) → $94,352 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Columbus or Oxford?

Columbus has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $106,117/year, compared to Oxford at $97,796/year — a difference of $8,321 (8.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Oxford?

Columbus electrical engineers earn $51.02/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $47.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Oxford as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $111,153, Oxford = $107,824), job availability (1,100 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Columbus vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $78,349 in Columbus and $62,765 in Oxford. The Columbus 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