Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Highland, UT: $73,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Highland, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,691 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Highland's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $75,118 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($115,432) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those starting their careers as electrical engineers in Highland, Utah, the financial landscape offers some compelling insights. The starting electrical engineer salary in Highland is projected at $73,691 in 2026, which presents a substantial gap compared to the city median of $115,432. This gap highlights the typical journey most new grads can expect, moving from entry-level compensation to higher tiers within the range of $73,691 to $94,793 over the first few years as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, the market in Highland appears to be relatively stable for recent graduates and offers opportunities for upward movement in salaries while fostering skill development in a supportive environment.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Highland
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 Highland
Entry-level electrical engineers in Highland, UT typically start between $73,691 and $94,793 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,344 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $115,432 — 7.68% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Utah of $52,000 represents just 70.56% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($73,691/year) in Highland. 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 Highland
- 1Research the Highland market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $73,691 to $94,793, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Highland, 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 Highland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Highland'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 Highland is $88,344 ( 119.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,691, experienced hygienists can earn up to $162,035.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,530
2025 BLS Actual
$71,096
2026 Current Est.
$73,691
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Highland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,381 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Highland, UT grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,530 in 2019 to $71,096 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,381. New graduates entering the Highland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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 Highland
Several prominent employers in Highland actively seek out new electrical engineering graduates. Companies such as Intel and AMD hire entry-level engineers, especially those equipped with the necessary credentials like a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and an EIT certification obtained through the FE exam during their senior year. Security clearance enhances earning potential, particularly for roles in defense contracting with firms like Lockheed and Northrop. Typically, graduates who target the semiconductor sector, with its focus on chip design, can expect to access higher pay tiers compared to their counterparts in utilities and power systems, who might trade off cash compensation for job stability and benefits like pensions. In the initial years of their careers, new engineers can realistically aim for salary increases that better reflect their growing expertise and industry demand in Highland.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
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 Highland. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Highland 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