Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Billings, MT: $80,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $80,401 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,966 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,998) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Billings, Montana can expect starting salaries around $80,401, with realistic expectations of reaching around $84,226 as they gain experience. These figures fall notably below the city's overall median salary of $106,998, highlighting a gap that new professionals will need to bridge as they advance their careers. Entry-level engineers can anticipate an upward trajectory in earnings, potentially rising towards the median within the first three to five years, thanks to the industry’s projected annual growth rate of 3.65%. Given the current economic climate and the cost of living index of 93.526 in Billings, the market offers a reasonable start for new engineers, although comparing their entry-level pay to the national median of $125,033 reveals a disparity that might affect long-term job satisfaction and retention.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
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 Billings
Entry-level electrical engineers in Billings, MT typically start between $80,401 and $84,226 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,592 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,998 — 14.42% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Montana of $48,000 represents just 59.70% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($80,401/year) in Billings. 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 Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $80,401 to $84,226, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, 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 Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings'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 Billings is $75,592 ( 94.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $80,401, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,993.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,250
2025 BLS Actual
$77,570
2026 Current Est.
$80,401
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,336 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 18.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,250 in 2019 to $77,570 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,336. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 Billings
New graduates should target specific employers in Billings known for hiring entry-level electrical engineers. For example, semiconductor companies like Apple, Nvidia, and AMD are more likely to recruit master's and PhD candidates with structured onboarding processes, offering higher starting salaries in the chip design sector. On the other hand, defense contractors, such as Lockheed and Northrop, often look for candidates with security clearances, which can significantly enhance earning potential. For a promising start, it’s wise for new graduates to focus on obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, pass the FE exam, and seek relevant internships. Building a network through IEEE and pursuing further credentials, like a PE license, opens doors to higher salary brackets and greater job security. In Billings, while entry-level positions may pay less than national counterparts, the potential for growth in sectors like semiconductors and defense offers a clear pathway for increasing earnings within the first few years in the field.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. 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