Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Davenport, IA: $83,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Davenport, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,044 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Davenport's local price level (BEA RPP 89.1 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $93,225 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,740) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, aspiring electrical engineers can expect starting salaries that range from $83,044, based on the 10th percentile, to more established roles approaching the median salary of $110,740. For new graduates entering the field in 2026, the gap between entry-level pay and the median is significant and underscores the importance of strategic career planning. Within the first few years, it's realistic to anticipate salary growth from the 10th percentile toward the 25th percentile, projected at $91,782. This steady increase presents a positive outlook for recent graduates in the area, especially considering the 3.65% annual growth rate in the profession. Davenport’s lower cost of living, with an index of 89.079, can also make it an attractive market for new engineers seeking to balance entry-level earnings with quality of life.
Career Earnings Timeline in Davenport
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 Davenport
Entry-level electrical engineers in Davenport, IA typically start between $83,044 and $91,782 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,410 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,740 — 11.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Iowa of $52,000 represents just 62.62% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($83,044/year) in Davenport. 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 Davenport
- 1Research the Davenport market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $83,044 to $91,782, 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 Davenport, 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 Davenport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Davenport'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 Davenport is $95,410 ( 114.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,044, experienced hygienists can earn up to $178,454.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,910
2025 BLS Actual
$80,120
2026 Current Est.
$83,044
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,075 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Davenport, IA grew 33.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,910 in 2019 to $80,120 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,075. New graduates entering the Davenport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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 Davenport
Employers in Davenport that actively seek entry-level electrical engineers include prominent semiconductor companies such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, which prioritize graduates from top-tier engineering programs, often offering structured ramp-up programs and stock options. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also recruit new talent through established internship pipelines, while utilities in the region prefer to onboard engineers through power systems training programs. Graduates who have completed their Bachelor’s from an ABET-accredited institution, taken the FE exam during their senior year, and gained EIT certification will find themselves well-positioned to secure better starting electrical engineer pay in IA. For those aiming for accelerated growth, pursuing a PE license and considering an advanced degree could lead to higher salaries, especially in chip design and defense roles. In the initial years, while entry-level pay may lag behind sectors like semiconductor engineering, the long-term career trajectory remains promising as engineers navigate paths through specialized fields or management.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Davenport in 2026?
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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 Davenport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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