Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $67,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Cedar Falls, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,311 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $74,459 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,434) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Cedar Falls, Iowa, can anticipate a starting salary around $67,311 as projected for 2026. This figure sits at the lower threshold of the salary range, which generally falls between $67,311 and $157,206, reflecting the salaries for those just beginning their careers versus those with more experience. While this starting electrical engineer salary in Cedar Falls may trail the city median of $108,434, it symbolizes an opportunity for financial growth, with potential progression toward $87,912 within the first few years. The Cedar Falls market presents favorable conditions for new electrical engineers, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, indicating ongoing demand in the field and possibilities for upward mobility as new graduates gain experience and refine their skills.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar Falls
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 Cedar Falls
Entry-level electrical engineers in Cedar Falls, IA typically start between $67,311 and $87,912 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $89,895 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,434 — 13.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Iowa of $52,000 represents just 77.25% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($67,311/year) in Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls
- 1Research the Cedar Falls market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $67,311 to $87,912, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar Falls, 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 Cedar Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar Falls'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 Cedar Falls is $89,895 ( 133.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,311, experienced hygienists can earn up to $157,206.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,463
2025 BLS Actual
$64,941
2026 Current Est.
$67,311
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,463 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,032 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,941 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,768 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar Falls, IA grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,463 in 2019 to $64,941 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,768. New graduates entering the Cedar Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Employers across Cedar Falls actively seek entry-level electrical engineers, particularly from key sectors such as semiconductors and defense. Major players like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel offer competitive salaries for chip design roles, often favoring advanced degrees but still welcoming bachelor’s-level talent eager to engage in this thriving industry. Additionally, utility companies offer positions for Electrical Engineers in Training (EIT) through structured power systems training, though starting salaries may lag behind tech sectors like semiconductor design. To enhance their earning potential, new grads should consider taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during their senior year, which can lead to earning their EIT designation and serve as a stepping stone toward obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Engaging in IEEE membership can also open networking and development opportunities, positioning candidates favorably in job searches. Realistic salary growth for new grads could place them in the $70,000 to $80,000 range after a few years, particularly as they accumulate experience and pursue specialized training relevant to their chosen sectors.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
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 Cedar Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Falls 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