Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Fond du Lac, WI: $78,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Fond du Lac, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,784 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fond du Lac's local price level (BEA RPP 91.6 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,968 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,214) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

In Fond du Lac, WI, the starting electrical engineer salary is projected to reach approximately $78,784 in 2026, which serves as a realistic benchmark for recent graduates entering this field. This figure is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $99,214, indicating that new professionals may expect to earn about 20% less than their more experienced counterparts. Nevertheless, there exists a promising growth trajectory for these entry-level positions; newcomers can anticipate salary increases as they gain experience, transitioning to the first quartile at $81,925 after a few years and gradually approaching the median as they build their skills and contribute value to their employers. Given Fond du Lac’s competitive job market and the projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, the region offers suitable opportunities for new graduates seeking to kickstart their careers in electrical engineering.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fond du Lac
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 Fond du Lac
Entry-level electrical engineers in Fond du Lac, WI typically start between $78,784 and $81,925 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $51,007 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,214 — 20.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 69.81% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($78,784/year) in Fond du Lac. 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 Fond du Lac
- 1Research the Fond du Lac market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $78,784 to $81,925, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fond du Lac, 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 Fond du Lac for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fond du Lac'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 Fond du Lac is $51,007 ( 64.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,784, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,791.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,790
2025 BLS Actual
$76,010
2026 Current Est.
$78,784
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,660 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Fond du Lac, WI grew -7.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $81,790 in 2019 to $76,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,660. New graduates entering the Fond du Lac job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
When evaluating career prospects, it's essential to consider which companies in Fond du Lac are likely to hire entry-level electrical engineers. Companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing, such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel, typically prefer candidates with advanced degrees but may also recruit fresh talent for lower-tier roles. Defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, often seek entry-level engineers who have relevant security clearances and completed internships. Furthermore, utility companies generally look for bachelor’s degree holders with a focus on power systems training programs. To enhance earning potential, new grads can pursue credentials like the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation via the FE exam, followed by obtaining the Professional Engineer (PE) license after gaining supervised experience. As electrical engineers navigate their first few years, they should also consider strategic career paths, recognizing that sectors like semiconductor chip design often offer the highest salaries, while defense and utility roles might prioritize job stability and benefits, such as pensions. Realistic progression for starting electrical engineer salaries can see promising increases, affirming Fond du Lac as a viable entry point into the field.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
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 Fond du Lac. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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