Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Gresham, OR: $79,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Gresham, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,732 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gresham's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,712 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($131,567) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting salaries for entry-level electrical engineers in Gresham, OR, are projected to be around $79,732 in 2026. For newly minted graduates, this figure reflects the beginning of a capably rewarding career path within a market that offers a median salary of $131,567. While there is a noticeable gap of approximately $51,835 between the entry-level pay and the city’s median salary, this discrepancy tends to diminish as engineers gain experience. Entry-level engineers can expect their compensation to grow steadily over their first few years as they transition from the P10 percentile to the P25, eventually reaching the median salary as they accumulate skills and experience. Given Gresham’s current demand for engineers and the projected growth rate of 3.65%, it is a relatively favorable market for new graduates embarking on their engineering journey.
About the Gresham Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gresham
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 Gresham
Entry-level electrical engineers in Gresham, OR typically start between $79,732 and $97,767 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $118,631 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $131,567 — 5.23% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 81.52% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($79,732/year) in Gresham. 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 Gresham
- 1Research the Gresham market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $79,732 to $97,767, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gresham, 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 Gresham for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gresham'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 Gresham is $118,631 ( 148.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,732, experienced hygienists can earn up to $198,363.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,328
2025 BLS Actual
$76,924
2026 Current Est.
$79,732
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,328 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,187 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,924 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,642 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Gresham, OR grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $63,328 in 2019 to $76,924 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,642. New graduates entering the Gresham job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gresham 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 Gresham
In Gresham, several major employers are eager to recruit new graduates in electrical engineering, particularly in the semiconductor industry. Leading companies like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel commonly seek talent who possess bachelor’s degrees from ABET-accredited programs. Practical experience, such as internships, is crucial, especially for roles that offer lucrative pay linked to chip design and development. Defense contractors like Lockheed and Northrop also provide entry-level opportunities but typically prefer candidates with security clearances, making relevant internships and certifications a stepping stone into those positions. Credentialing such as passing the FE exam and seeking EIT status enhances a candidate's marketability, allowing for higher starting pay. While utility companies may pay less in the early years compared to tech firms, they offer job stability and benefits like pensions. A new graduate's salary trajectory could significantly rise in the first three years, especially if they strategically position themselves in high-demand sectors like semiconductor design or defense contracting.
More salary data for Gresham, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Gresham in 2026?
How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Gresham?
Is electrical engineering school worth it in Gresham?
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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 Gresham. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gresham 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