Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Amherst Town, MA: $88,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Amherst Town, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $88,123 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Amherst Town's local price level (BEA RPP 100.2 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $87,909 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,970) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Amherst Town, Massachusetts, the starting electrical engineer salary is projected at around $88,123 in 2026. This figure reflects a significant entry point when considering the overall city median salary of $120,970, indicating that while early-career engineers will earn less than the median, there is a clear growth trajectory as they gain experience. Over the first few years, it's realistic to expect salaries to climb from the P10 figure toward the P25 milestone of $92,922, potentially reaching higher averages within three to five years. The market in Amherst Town currently looks promising for fresh graduates, supported by ongoing developments in technology and engineering-related sectors.
Career Earnings Timeline in Amherst Town
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 Amherst Town
Entry-level electrical engineers in Amherst Town, MA typically start between $88,123 and $92,922 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,914 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,970 — 3.25% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Massachusetts of $108,000 represents just 122.56% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($88,123/year) in Amherst Town. 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 Amherst Town
- 1Research the Amherst Town market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $88,123 to $92,922, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Amherst Town, 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 Amherst Town for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Amherst Town'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 Amherst Town is $77,914 ( 88.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $88,123, experienced hygienists can earn up to $166,037.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,993
2025 BLS Actual
$85,020
2026 Current Est.
$88,123
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Amherst Town (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,993 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,048 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,340 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Amherst Town, MA grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,993 in 2019 to $85,020 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $91,340. New graduates entering the Amherst Town job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst Town 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 Amherst Town
Employers in Amherst Town such as semiconductor companies and defense contractors actively recruit new grads, helping to shape the early career landscape for those in electrical engineering. Major players like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel present opportunities within the semiconductor industry, which is known to command premium starting salaries due to high skill demand in chip design. For those seeking positions in defense, organizations like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman hire entry-level engineers through focused internship programs for cleared candidates. Additionally, utility companies often welcome new EITs into training roles in power systems, though these may lag in salary compared to tech giants. Credentials such as passing the FE exam to become an EIT can enhance starting pay potential. New grads should also consider that, in the first few years, well-structured career paths supported by IEEE and additional training can effectively boost income as they progress through their initial roles, providing a lens into salary growth expectations as they gain experience.
More salary data for Amherst Town, MA:
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 Amherst Town. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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