Electrical Engineer Salary

Greensboro vs Raleigh: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Greensboro, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greensboro, NC
$121,768
$58.54/hr
Raleigh, NC
$134,994
$64.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$121,768$134,994
Hourly Rate$58.54$64.91
Entry Level (P10)$79,603$76,058
25th Percentile$97,213$85,283
75th Percentile$153,671$175,490
Top Earner (P90)$208,616$229,118
Total Employed4401,500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($121,768) and Raleigh ($134,994) electrical engineer salaries.GreensboroRaleighMedian Salary$121,768$134,994Entry Level (P10)$79,603$76,058Top Earner (P90)$208,616$229,118US Median $125,033

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greensboro.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Raleigh is $13,226 (10.86%). Raleigh's median is +7.97% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greensboro spans $129,013,Raleigh spans $153,060. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$79,603
P25$97,213
Median$121,768
P75$153,671
P90 (Top)$208,616
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$76,058
P25$85,283
Median$134,994
P75$175,490
P90 (Top)$229,118

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($137,529 effective) pays 4.88% more than Greensboro ($131,124 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $121,768
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $131,124
Raleigh
Nominal: $134,994
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $137,529

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,994/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($229,118)
  • Larger job market (1,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $137,529)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Greensboro grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 47.7% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+23.7%

$94,950 (2019) → $117,480 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+47.7%

$88,180 (2019) → $130,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Greensboro or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $134,994/year, compared to Greensboro at $121,768/year — a difference of $13,226 (10.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Raleigh?

Greensboro electrical engineers earn $58.54/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $64.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greensboro to Raleigh as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $131,124, Raleigh = $137,529), job availability (440 vs 1,500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Greensboro vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $79,603 in Greensboro and $76,058 in Raleigh. The Greensboro 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