Electrical Engineer Salary

Huntsville vs Vestavia Hills: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Huntsville, AL and Vestavia Hills, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$135,087
$64.95/hr
Vestavia Hills, AL
$108,562
$52.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALVestavia Hills, AL
Median Salary$135,087$108,562
Hourly Rate$64.95$52.20
Entry Level (P10)$88,538$70,800
25th Percentile$106,801$83,836
75th Percentile$176,661$136,436
Top Earner (P90)$215,727$161,535
Total Employed2,1908
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($135,087) and Vestavia Hills ($108,562) electrical engineer salaries.HuntsvilleVestavia HillsMedian Salary$135,087$108,562Entry Level (P10)$88,538$70,800Top Earner (P90)$215,727$161,535US Median $125,033

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vestavia Hills.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Vestavia Hills is $26,525 (24.43%). Huntsville's median is +8.04% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $127,189,Vestavia Hills spans $90,735. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$88,538
P25$106,801
Median$135,087
P75$176,661
P90 (Top)$215,727
Vestavia Hills
P10 (Entry)$70,800
P25$83,836
Median$108,562
P75$136,436
P90 (Top)$161,535

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($145,142 effective) pays 17.52% more than Vestavia Hills ($123,506 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $135,087
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $145,142
Vestavia Hills
Nominal: $108,562
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $123,506

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($135,087/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,727)
  • Larger job market (2,190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $145,142)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Vestavia Hills if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Huntsville grew 28.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Vestavia Hills over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+28.1%

$101,780 (2019) → $130,330 (2025)

Vestavia Hills, AL

+26.7%

$82,699 (2024) → $104,739 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Huntsville or Vestavia Hills?

Huntsville has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $135,087/year, compared to Vestavia Hills at $108,562/year — a difference of $26,525 (24.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Vestavia Hills?

Huntsville electrical engineers earn $64.95/hr while Vestavia Hills hygienists earn $52.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Vestavia Hills as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Vestavia Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $145,142, Vestavia Hills = $123,506), job availability (2,190 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Huntsville vs Vestavia Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $88,538 in Huntsville and $70,800 in Vestavia Hills. The Huntsville 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