Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $70,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Jacksonville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,704 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,362 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,869) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the starting electrical engineer salary in Jacksonville is estimated to be around $70,704, a figure that presents a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $107,869. New graduates should be prepared for this initial salary range but can expect to see growth in their earnings as they gain experience. In just a few years, early-career professionals may transition to the 25th percentile, earning approximately $83,564, indicating a positive trajectory in their careers. Given the overall labor market conditions and an annual growth rate of 3.65%, Jacksonville appears to be a reasonable locale for aspiring electrical engineers to launch their careers and gradually work their way up the pay scale.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
Entry-level electrical engineers in Jacksonville, AR typically start between $70,704 and $83,564 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,218 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,869 — 13.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Arkansas of $42,000 represents just 59.40% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($70,704/year) in Jacksonville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $70,704 to $83,564, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Jacksonville is $90,218 ( 127.60%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,704, experienced hygienists can earn up to $160,922.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,157
2025 BLS Actual
$68,214
2026 Current Est.
$70,704
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,569 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,285 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, AR grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,157 in 2019 to $68,214 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,285. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, several key employers actively seek entry-level electrical engineers, paving the way for new graduates. Major semiconductor companies such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel often target recent graduates for advanced chip design roles, though they typically prefer candidates from top-tier programs with master's or PhD credentials. On the defense side, companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman specifically seek individuals with security clearances for specialized projects. Meanwhile, utilities in the region focus on recruiting BSEE graduates for roles in power systems, offering a more stable, if lower-paying, career path compared to tech giants. Candidates can enhance their marketability by completing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, which can substantially boost starting pay. Furthermore, as roles in the semiconductor sector command higher salaries, new graduates should aim for internships and networking opportunities that align with these high-paying positions. Realistically, salaries can see moderate growth in the first few years, depending on the chosen career path and industry sector in Jacksonville.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Jacksonville in 2026?
How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Jacksonville?
Is electrical engineering school worth it in Jacksonville?
What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in Jacksonville?
How do I become a electrical engineer in Arkansas?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov