Electrical Engineer Salary

Hagerstown vs Wheaton: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Hagerstown, MD and Wheaton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hagerstown, MD
$115,373
$55.46/hr
Wheaton, MD
$136,643
$65.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHagerstown, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$115,373$136,643
Hourly Rate$55.46$65.69
Entry Level (P10)$75,322$83,922
25th Percentile$87,729$102,037
75th Percentile$139,585$172,473
Top Earner (P90)$168,784$206,458
Total Employed4011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hagerstown ($115,373) and Wheaton ($136,643) electrical engineer salaries.HagerstownWheatonMedian Salary$115,373$136,643Entry Level (P10)$75,322$83,922Top Earner (P90)$168,784$206,458US Median $125,033

Verdict

Wheaton, MD offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Hagerstown and Wheaton is $21,270 (18.44%). Wheaton's median is +9.29% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hagerstown spans $93,462,Wheaton spans $122,536. Wheaton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$75,322
P25$87,729
Median$115,373
P75$139,585
P90 (Top)$168,784
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$83,922
P25$102,037
Median$136,643
P75$172,473
P90 (Top)$206,458

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheaton ($125,016 effective) pays 2.04% more than Hagerstown ($122,514 effective).

Hagerstown
Nominal: $115,373
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $122,514
Wheaton
Nominal: $136,643
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $125,016

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Wheaton if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,643/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($206,458)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,016)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Hagerstown grew 8.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.8% growth in Wheaton over the same period.

Hagerstown, MD

+8.9%

$102,250 (2019) → $111,310 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+-5.8%

$139,884 (2024) → $131,831 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Hagerstown or Wheaton?

Wheaton has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $136,643/year, compared to Hagerstown at $115,373/year — a difference of $21,270 (18.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hagerstown and Wheaton?

Hagerstown electrical engineers earn $55.46/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $65.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hagerstown to Wheaton as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hagerstown and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hagerstown = $122,514, Wheaton = $125,016), job availability (40 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Hagerstown vs Wheaton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $75,322 in Hagerstown and $83,922 in Wheaton. The Wheaton 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