Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Derry, NH: $87,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Derry, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,800 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derry's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,827 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,766) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derry, NH, the starting electrical engineer salary for new graduates is projected to be around $87,800 in 2026. While this figure is noticeably below the city’s median annual salary of $128,766, it reflects the typical entry-point for those fresh out of an ABET-accredited program. New graduates can expect a trajectory that potentially rises to $102,262 after a few years, potentially reaching the median salary as they accumulate experience and prove their value in the workforce. The growth rate of 3.65% annually indicates a healthy demand for electrical engineers in this region, making Derry a viable market for recent graduates seeking to jumpstart their careers in engineering.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Derry
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 Derry
Entry-level electrical engineers in Derry, NH typically start between $87,800 and $102,262 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $108,295 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,766 — 2.99% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in New Hampshire of $72,000 represents just 82.00% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($87,800/year) in Derry. 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 Derry
- 1Research the Derry market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $87,800 to $102,262, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derry, 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 Derry for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Derry'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 Derry is $108,295 ( 123.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,800, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,095.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,736
2025 BLS Actual
$84,708
2026 Current Est.
$87,800
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,783 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,458 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,707 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,005 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Derry, NH grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $69,736 in 2019 to $84,708 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $91,005. New graduates entering the Derry job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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 Derry
Hiring practices in Derry favor employers from diverse sectors looking for entry-level electrical engineers. Major semiconductor firms like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel often target candidates with advanced degrees for their chip design endeavors, providing structured onboarding programs and competitive compensation. Additionally, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman rely on established internship pipelines to secure talent with necessary clearances, enhancing their paid opportunities. For electric utilities, entry-level engineers often join through rigorous training in power systems. To strengthen their position and command higher starting salaries in New Hampshire, candidates are encouraged to obtain their Engineer-in-Training (EIT) credentials by completing the FE exam. Further, joining the IEEE community can provide networking advantages. With realistic pay growth expectations and strategic career choices focused on high-demand sectors, new graduates can enhance their earning trajectories significantly throughout their first few years in the field.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
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 Derry. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Derry 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