Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Franklin, TN: $67,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Franklin, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,338 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Franklin's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,353 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,187) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates starting their careers as electrical engineers in Franklin, Tennessee can expect a base salary around $67,338. This figure reflects the lower end of the pay spectrum for entry-level positions and presents a gap from the city's median annual salary of $102,187. Those embarking on this engineering path can anticipate a salary trajectory that steadily increases over their initial years. With experience, entry-level engineers typically progress to $79,741 within the first couple of years and may reach closer to the median as they gain expertise and establish a reputation in the field. Given Franklin's growing technology sector and relatively lower cost of living index, it remains a viable market for new graduates looking to secure entry-level electrical engineering roles.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Franklin
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 Franklin
Entry-level electrical engineers in Franklin, TN typically start between $67,338 and $79,741 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,793 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,187 — 18.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Tennessee of $55,000 represents just 81.68% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($67,338/year) in Franklin. 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 Franklin
- 1Research the Franklin market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $67,338 to $79,741, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Franklin, 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 Franklin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Franklin'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 Franklin is $88,793 ( 131.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,338, experienced hygienists can earn up to $156,131.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,484
2025 BLS Actual
$64,967
2026 Current Est.
$67,338
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,484 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,054 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,831 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,796 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Franklin, TN grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,484 in 2019 to $64,967 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,796. New graduates entering the Franklin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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 Franklin
Several prominent employers in Franklin actively seek entry-level candidates in electrical engineering, particularly within industries like semiconductor manufacturing and defense contracting. Major companies such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel often favor advanced degrees but can provide structured training programs for new graduates. Similarly, defense firms like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman recruit through internship pipelines that require security clearances. To enhance starting salaries in TN, candidates should focus on obtaining their Engineer in Training (EIT) designation through the FE exam and consider pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license for future advancement. Entry-level positions in the utility sector might lag in compensation compared to tech roles, but they offer stability and benefits such as pensions. For new grads, the semiconductor industry currently offers the highest pay potential, while defense-related roles provide a monetary premium associated with security clearance. Overall, competitive starting wages and thoughtful career strategies can lead to gradual salary growth within the first three years in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Franklin, TN:
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 Franklin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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