Electrical Engineer Salary

Howell vs Trenton: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Howell, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Howell, NJ
$144,110
$69.28/hr
Trenton, NJ
$115,041
$55.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHowell, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$144,110$115,041
Hourly Rate$69.28$55.31
Entry Level (P10)$88,655$78,587
25th Percentile$107,723$97,120
75th Percentile$179,075$146,095
Top Earner (P90)$223,370$185,523
Total Employed11170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Howell ($144,110) and Trenton ($115,041) electrical engineer salaries.HowellTrentonMedian Salary$144,110$115,041Entry Level (P10)$88,655$78,587Top Earner (P90)$223,370$185,523US Median $125,033

Verdict

Howell, NJ offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Howell and Trenton is $29,069 (25.27%). Howell's median is +15.26% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Howell spans $134,715,Trenton spans $106,936. Howell has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Howell
P10 (Entry)$88,655
P25$107,723
Median$144,110
P75$179,075
P90 (Top)$223,370
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$78,587
P25$97,120
Median$115,041
P75$146,095
P90 (Top)$185,523

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Howell ($125,095 effective) pays 12.20% more than Trenton ($111,495 effective).

Howell
Nominal: $144,110
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $125,095
Trenton
Nominal: $115,041
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $111,495

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Howell if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,110/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($223,370)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,095)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Howell grew -5.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Howell, NJ

+-5.8%

$147,529 (2024) → $139,035 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+4.9%

$105,830 (2019) → $110,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Howell or Trenton?

Howell has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $144,110/year, compared to Trenton at $115,041/year — a difference of $29,069 (25.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Howell and Trenton?

Howell electrical engineers earn $69.28/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $55.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Howell to Trenton as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Howell and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Howell = $125,095, Trenton = $111,495), job availability (11 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Howell vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $88,655 in Howell and $78,587 in Trenton. The Howell area offers higher starting salaries.
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