Electrical Engineer Salary

Duluth vs Hastings: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Duluth, MN and Hastings, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$101,079
$48.59/hr
Hastings, MN
$117,338
$56.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNHastings, MN
Median Salary$101,079$117,338
Hourly Rate$48.59$56.42
Entry Level (P10)$80,899$77,384
25th Percentile$86,589$90,897
75th Percentile$124,204$144,085
Top Earner (P90)$151,899$167,447
Total Employed1605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($101,079) and Hastings ($117,338) electrical engineer salaries.DuluthHastingsMedian Salary$101,079$117,338Entry Level (P10)$80,899$77,384Top Earner (P90)$151,899$167,447US Median $125,033

Verdict

Hastings, MN offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Hastings is $16,259 (16.09%). Hastings's median is -6.15% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $71,000,Hastings spans $90,063. Hastings has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$80,899
P25$86,589
Median$101,079
P75$124,204
P90 (Top)$151,899
Hastings
P10 (Entry)$77,384
P25$90,897
Median$117,338
P75$144,085
P90 (Top)$167,447

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hastings ($119,125 effective) pays 4.62% more than Duluth ($113,869 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $101,079
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $113,869
Hastings
Nominal: $117,338
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $119,125

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Hastings if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,338/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($167,447)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $119,125)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Duluth grew 3.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Hastings over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+3.8%

$93,970 (2019) → $97,520 (2025)

Hastings, MN

+4.9%

$107,922 (2024) → $113,206 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Duluth or Hastings?

Hastings has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $117,338/year, compared to Duluth at $101,079/year — a difference of $16,259 (16.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Hastings?

Duluth electrical engineers earn $48.59/hr while Hastings hygienists earn $56.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Hastings as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Hastings. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $113,869, Hastings = $119,125), job availability (160 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Duluth vs Hastings?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $80,899 in Duluth and $77,384 in Hastings. The Duluth 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