Electrical Engineer Salary

Richfield vs St. Paul: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Richfield, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richfield, MN
$118,627
$57.03/hr
St. Paul, MN
$120,289
$57.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichfield, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$118,627$120,289
Hourly Rate$57.03$57.83
Entry Level (P10)$81,075$75,390
25th Percentile$94,720$91,886
75th Percentile$145,092$152,622
Top Earner (P90)$177,267$186,448
Total Employed980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richfield ($118,627) and St. Paul ($120,289) electrical engineer salaries.RichfieldSt. PaulMedian Salary$118,627$120,289Entry Level (P10)$81,075$75,390Top Earner (P90)$177,267$186,448US Median $125,033

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richfield.

The salary gap between Richfield and St. Paul is $1,662 (1.40%). St. Paul's median is -3.79% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richfield spans $96,192,St. Paul spans $111,058. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Richfield
P10 (Entry)$81,075
P25$94,720
Median$118,627
P75$145,092
P90 (Top)$177,267
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$75,390
P25$91,886
Median$120,289
P75$152,622
P90 (Top)$186,448

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($122,121 effective) pays 1.40% more than Richfield ($120,434 effective).

Richfield
Nominal: $118,627
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $120,434
St. Paul
Nominal: $120,289
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $122,121

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($120,289/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,448)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $122,121)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Richfield grew 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.4% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Richfield, MN

+4.9%

$109,108 (2024) → $114,450 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+-1.4%

$117,745 (2024) → $116,053 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Richfield or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $120,289/year, compared to Richfield at $118,627/year — a difference of $1,662 (1.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richfield and St. Paul?

Richfield electrical engineers earn $57.03/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $57.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richfield to St. Paul as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richfield and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richfield = $120,434, St. Paul = $122,121), job availability (9 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Richfield vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $81,075 in Richfield and $75,390 in St. Paul. The Richfield 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