Electrical Engineer Salary

Dallas vs Sugar Land: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Dallas, TX and Sugar Land, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$128,930
$61.98/hr
Sugar Land, TX
$110,999
$53.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXSugar Land, TX
Median Salary$128,930$110,999
Hourly Rate$61.98$53.37
Entry Level (P10)$79,520$71,585
25th Percentile$92,673$85,669
75th Percentile$166,959$142,078
Top Earner (P90)$212,524$172,049
Total Employed5,72021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($128,930) and Sugar Land ($110,999) electrical engineer salaries.DallasSugar LandMedian Salary$128,930$110,999Entry Level (P10)$79,520$71,585Top Earner (P90)$212,524$172,049US Median $125,033

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sugar Land.

The salary gap between Dallas and Sugar Land is $17,931 (16.15%). Dallas's median is +3.12% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $133,004,Sugar Land spans $100,464. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$79,520
P25$92,673
Median$128,930
P75$166,959
P90 (Top)$212,524
Sugar Land
P10 (Entry)$71,585
P25$85,669
Median$110,999
P75$142,078
P90 (Top)$172,049

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($125,065 effective) pays 8.17% more than Sugar Land ($115,624 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $128,930
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $125,065
Sugar Land
Nominal: $110,999
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $115,624

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($128,930/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($212,524)
  • Larger job market (5,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,065)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sugar Land if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Dallas grew 21.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.2% growth in Sugar Land over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+21.6%

$102,310 (2019) → $124,390 (2025)

Sugar Land, TX

+-5.2%

$112,953 (2024) → $107,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Dallas or Sugar Land?

Dallas has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $128,930/year, compared to Sugar Land at $110,999/year — a difference of $17,931 (16.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Sugar Land?

Dallas electrical engineers earn $61.98/hr while Sugar Land hygienists earn $53.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Sugar Land as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Sugar Land. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $125,065, Sugar Land = $115,624), job availability (5,720 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Dallas vs Sugar Land?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $79,520 in Dallas and $71,585 in Sugar Land. The Dallas 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