Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Lima, OH: $70,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Lima, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,487 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lima's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,714 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,955) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of electrical engineering in Lima, OH, the starting landscape is relatively promising, with entry-level positions offering a starting salary of around $70,487. While this figure is significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $101,955, it reflects the realities budding engineers can anticipate as they embark on their careers. Over the first few years, those who establish themselves in the field can expect a growth trajectory that climbs from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile of approximately $81,765, eventually positioning them closer to the median as they gain experience and technical skills. Given the city’s modest but steady growth rate of 3.65%, Lima appears to be a viable option for new grads looking to begin their careers without competing against more saturated markets.
About the Lima Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lima
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 Lima
Entry-level electrical engineers in Lima, OH typically start between $70,487 and $81,765 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,901 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,955 — 18.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Ohio of $58,000 represents just 82.28% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($70,487/year) in Lima. 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 Lima
- 1Research the Lima market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $70,487 to $81,765, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lima, 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 Lima for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lima'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 Lima is $75,901 ( 107.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,487, experienced hygienists can earn up to $146,388.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,650
2025 BLS Actual
$68,005
2026 Current Est.
$70,487
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,629 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,060 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Lima, OH grew 14.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,650 in 2019 to $68,005 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,060. New graduates entering the Lima job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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 Lima
In Lima, several notable employers actively seek to recruit new electrical engineering graduates. Semiconductor companies like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have become desirable, especially for those interested in chip design; these firms often look for higher degrees. For graduates focused on defense, organizations such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman typically draw candidates through structured internship pipelines. Alternatively, local utilities may offer valuable experience as engineering interns or entry-level positions but may lag behind tech firms in pay. Graduates can enhance their earning potential by accruing relevant credentials, such as passing the FE exam to achieve Engineer-in-Training (EIT) status and pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Although the starting electrical engineer salary in Lima reflects regional adjustments, an understanding of industry trends can significantly influence salary expectations in the first three years, especially in sectors that reward specialized skills with higher pay scales while offering a secure, stable environment.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
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 Lima. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lima 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