Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Hagerstown, MD: $75,322 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Hagerstown, MD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,322 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hagerstown's local price level (BEA RPP 94.2 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,984 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,373) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hagerstown, MD, new graduates filling entry-level electrical engineering positions can expect to earn a starting salary around $75,322 in 2026. While this figure is well below the city's median annual salary of $115,373, it represents a foundation for growth in the profession. Over the first few years, it is realistic for these new grad electrical engineers to aspire to salary increases, moving towards the 25th percentile at $87,729, and possibly nearing the median within three to five years as they gain experience and skills. Given the competitive job market and projected growth rate of 3.65%, Hagerstown presents a reasonably favorable environment for early-career engineers to establish themselves and progress in their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hagerstown
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 Hagerstown
Entry-level electrical engineers in Hagerstown, MD typically start between $75,322 and $87,729 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $93,462 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,373 — 7.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Maryland of $68,000 represents just 90.28% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($75,322/year) in Hagerstown. 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 Hagerstown
- 1Research the Hagerstown market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $75,322 to $87,729, 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 MD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hagerstown, 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 Hagerstown for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hagerstown'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 Hagerstown is $93,462 ( 124.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,322, experienced hygienists can earn up to $168,784.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,420
2025 BLS Actual
$72,670
2026 Current Est.
$75,322
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Hagerstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,322 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,072 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Hagerstown, MD grew 24.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,420 in 2019 to $72,670 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,072. New graduates entering the Hagerstown job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hagerstown 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 Hagerstown
Employers in Hagerstown who actively recruit entry-level electrical engineers include diverse sectors such as semiconductor companies and defense contractors. Major tech firms like Apple and Nvidia seek highly qualified candidates for chip design roles, often offering attractive compensation packages that reflect the industry's competitive nature. Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman typically focus on hiring through established internship programs, preferring candidates with security clearances, which can command a premium. For utility companies, hiring tends to emphasize a structured training process for engineers in power systems. Newly minted graduates holding an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and possessing an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) credential from the FE exam can access a variety of opportunities. With strategic career planning, including the optional pursuit of a Master’s or PhD for specialized roles, early-career electrical engineers in Maryland can set themselves up for potential salary growth and increased responsibility in a rapidly evolving industry.
More salary data for Hagerstown, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Hagerstown in 2026?
How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Hagerstown?
Is electrical engineering school worth it in Hagerstown?
What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in Hagerstown?
How do I become a electrical engineer in Maryland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 Hagerstown. 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