Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Olympia, WA: $64,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Olympia, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,284 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Olympia's local price level (BEA RPP 103.7 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,008 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($124,453) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the electrical engineering field in Olympia, Washington, can expect a starting salary of approximately $64,284, which is significantly below the median annual salary of $124,453 for the area. This gap reflects the typical progression new engineers face as they gain experience; within a few years, earnings may rise to informally align with the first quartile salary of $85,097. Given that the projected growth for entry-level positions is strong at 3.65% annually, the job market appears favorable for recent graduates seeking to establish their careers. With a firmly established network of industries, Olympia provides valuable opportunities for budding engineers, making it an appealing locale for those just stepping into the workforce in 2026.
Career Earnings Timeline in Olympia
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 Olympia
Entry-level electrical engineers in Olympia, WA typically start between $64,284 and $85,097 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $129,624 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $124,453 — 0.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Washington of $68,000 represents just 105.78% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($64,284/year) in Olympia. 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 Olympia
- 1Research the Olympia market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $64,284 to $85,097, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Olympia, 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 Olympia for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Olympia'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 Olympia is $129,624 ( 201.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,284, experienced hygienists can earn up to $193,908.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,810
2025 BLS Actual
$62,020
2026 Current Est.
$64,284
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,557 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,630 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Olympia, WA grew -9.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,810 in 2019 to $62,020 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,630. New graduates entering the Olympia job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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 Olympia
Several key employers in Olympia are actively hiring new graduates in electrical engineering, which can enhance starting salaries for professionals. Major semiconductor companies—such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel—look for candidates who have graduated from top-tier programs, often offering significant pay premiums for roles focused on chip design. Defense contractors, including Lockheed and Northrop, recruit through structured pipelines that often require security clearances for competitive pay. Utilities typically offer more stable roles through power systems training programs but may lag behind tech firms in compensation. To improve prospects, new electrical engineers should pursue credentials like the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification by taking the FE exam, a PE license, or even further education like a master’s degree. Growth expectations in Olympia during the first three years can range substantially depending on the sector, with those in the semiconductor industry likely to see the most significant increases in pay, reflecting the market’s demand for skilled engineers.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
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 Olympia. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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