Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $80,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Fort Collins, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,225 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fort Collins's local price level (BEA RPP 101.1 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,330 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($130,143) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the field of electrical engineering in Fort Collins can expect to see a starting electrical engineer salary of about $80,225 based on 2026 estimates projected from 2025 BLS data. This figure is considerably lower than the median salary for electrical engineers in the area, which stands at $130,143. The gap of roughly $50,000 illustrates the typical earning trajectory new grads might experience, often moving from entry-level pay towards higher scales as they gain experience and skills. Within three to five years, salaries can reach up to the 25th percentile, around $98,892, providing a clear pathway to financial progression in this robust market, which is favorable for new graduates right now.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins
Entry-level electrical engineers in Fort Collins, CO typically start between $80,225 and $98,892 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $100,862 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $130,143 — 4.09% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Colorado of $68,000 represents just 84.76% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($80,225/year) in Fort Collins. 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 Fort Collins
- 1Research the Fort Collins market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $80,225 to $98,892, 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 CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fort Collins's moderate 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 Fort Collins is $100,862 ( 125.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,225, experienced hygienists can earn up to $181,087.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,650
2025 BLS Actual
$77,400
2026 Current Est.
$80,225
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,153 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Fort Collins, CO grew 12.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,650 in 2019 to $77,400 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,153. New graduates entering the Fort Collins job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
Several prominent employers in Fort Collins actively seek out new graduates in electrical engineering, including major semiconductor firms like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. These companies typically recruit from top engineering programs and may offer structured ramp-up programs along with competitive total compensation packages that include Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). Meanwhile, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman prefer candidates with security clearances through established internship pipelines. Utilities in the region often recruit EITs through power systems training programs, providing stability, although not as high salaries compared to tech giants. To enhance starting pay in Colorado, it's beneficial for candidates to hold a Bachelor's from an ABET-accredited institution and to take the FE exam during their senior year, which yields EIT certification. Candidates can further their prospects by considering additional credentials like a PE license or joining IEEE. In the first few years, new graduates can typically expect salary growth as they refine their skills and gain experience, especially if they focus on high-demand sectors like semiconductor chip design.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Fort Collins. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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