Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Friendswood, TX: $74,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Friendswood, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,166 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Friendswood's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,256 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,604) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new electrical engineering graduates, the anticipated starting electrical engineer salary in Friendswood, TX, in 2026 is approximately $74,166. This figure represents the lower tier of entry-level compensation, leading to a gap when compared to the city median of $107,604. New grads can expect their pay range to grow steadily in their early career, with potential progression from entry-level salaries through more advanced tiers, aiming for $86,379 at the 25th percentile and eventually toward the median as they gain experience. Friendswood currently presents a favorable job market for fresh graduates entering the electrical engineering field, especially with its proximity to Houston and various tech hubs, setting the stage for promising career growth.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Friendswood
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 Friendswood
Entry-level electrical engineers in Friendswood, TX typically start between $74,166 and $86,379 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $87,363 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,604 — 13.94% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 78.20% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($74,166/year) in Friendswood. 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 Friendswood
- 1Research the Friendswood market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $74,166 to $86,379, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Friendswood, 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 Friendswood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Friendswood'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 Friendswood is $87,363 ( 117.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,166, experienced hygienists can earn up to $161,529.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,907
2025 BLS Actual
$71,554
2026 Current Est.
$74,166
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,907 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,636 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,206 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,873 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Friendswood, TX grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,907 in 2019 to $71,554 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,873. New graduates entering the Friendswood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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 Friendswood
In Friendswood, several key employers are actively seeking new graduates in electrical engineering. Notable companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and AMD are major players in the semiconductor industry, often looking for fresh talent from top programs. These organizations typically offer structured onboarding and attractive compensation packages, which can significantly impact new grad electrical engineer pay in TX. In addition, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman often recruit through established pipelines, particularly seeking candidates with security clearances. Utilities may lag in appearance due to lower starting salaries; however, they provide job stability, essential benefits, and opportunities for power systems training. Earning credentials like the EIT designation via the FE exam can amplify starting pay, while pursuing a PE license can also enhance long-term compensation potential. With the semiconductor sector driving the demand curve, early-career electrical engineers in Friendswood can strategize their growth with continued education and professional engagement, such as IEEE membership, to better navigate their nascent careers.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
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 Friendswood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Friendswood 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