Electrical Engineer Salary

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 91.68% 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.

$78,784
Starting Salary
$37.87/hr
Starting Hourly
$78,784
Entry Level
$99,214
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Electrical Engineer Entry Level Salary in Fond du Lac, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Fond du Lac, WI electrical engineer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$78,784/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$81,925/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$99,214/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$124,878/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fond du Lac

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electrical engineers in Fond du Lac. The median salary is $99,214, compared to the national median of $125,033.$70.9K$87.2K$103.6K$119.9K$136.3K$78.8K10th Pctl$81.9K25th Pctl$99.2KMedian$124.9K75th Pctl$129.8K90th PctlUS Median$125.0K

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 $99,21420.65% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrical engineer pay in the Fond du Lac metro area.

Return on Investment

$55,000
Avg WI Program Cost
$78,784
Starting Salary
69.81%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electrical engineers in Fond du Lac. Baseline $81,790 in 2025, projected to $81,660 by 2027.$57.6K$64.9K$72.2K$79.5K$86.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$81.8K$82.6K$62.6K$61.8K$76.4K$74.3K$76.0K$78.8K$81.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$81,790Actual
2020$82,600Actual
2021$62,560Actual
2022$61,760Actual
2023$76,430Actual
2024$74,270Actual
2025$76,010Actual
2026(current)$78,784Estimated
2027$81,660Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fond du Lac metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Fond du Lac in 2026?

Entry-level electrical engineers in Fond du Lac start at approximately $78,784/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.65% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $37.88/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in Fond du Lac?

Most electrical engineers in Fond du Lac progress from the entry-level salary of $78,784 to the area median of $99,214 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $129,791 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is electrical engineering school worth it in Fond du Lac?

With a starting salary of $78,784/year in Fond du Lac and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new electrical engineers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in Fond du Lac?

New electrical engineering graduates in Fond du Lac typically start near the 10th percentile at $78,784/year, or approximately $37.88/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a electrical engineer in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed electrical engineer in Wisconsin, you typically need bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an abet-accredited program (4 years). master's degree (msee) or phd common for research, specialty, or leadership roles. professional engineer (pe) license required for engineers who sign off on public projects — requires fe exam, 4 years experience, then pe exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wisconsin, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some electrical engineers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

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

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