Electrical Engineer Salary

Peoria vs Tucson: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Peoria, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Peoria, AZ
$105,040
$50.50/hr
Tucson, AZ
$121,758
$58.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$105,040$121,758
Hourly Rate$50.50$58.54
Entry Level (P10)$63,563$81,251
25th Percentile$77,904$100,706
75th Percentile$131,988$162,917
Top Earner (P90)$162,812$183,595
Total Employed331,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($105,040) and Tucson ($121,758) electrical engineer salaries.PeoriaTucsonMedian Salary$105,040$121,758Entry Level (P10)$63,563$81,251Top Earner (P90)$162,812$183,595US Median $125,033

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Peoria and Tucson is $16,718 (15.92%). Tucson's median is -2.62% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $99,249,Tucson spans $102,344. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$63,563
P25$77,904
Median$105,040
P75$131,988
P90 (Top)$162,812
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$81,251
P25$100,706
Median$121,758
P75$162,917
P90 (Top)$183,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($125,658 effective) pays 17.83% more than Peoria ($106,640 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $105,040
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $106,640
Tucson
Nominal: $121,758
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $125,658

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($183,595)
  • Larger job market (1,690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,658)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Peoria grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Peoria, AZ

+-10.1%

$112,747 (2024) → $101,341 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+36.8%

$85,870 (2019) → $117,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Peoria or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $121,758/year, compared to Peoria at $105,040/year — a difference of $16,718 (15.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Tucson?

Peoria electrical engineers earn $50.50/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $58.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Tucson as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $106,640, Tucson = $125,658), job availability (33 vs 1,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Peoria vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $63,563 in Peoria and $81,251 in Tucson. The Tucson 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