Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Kenosha, WI: $65,766 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Kenosha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,766 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenosha's local price level (BEA RPP 101.1 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,039 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,402) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, new graduates entering the electrical engineering workforce in Kenosha, Wisconsin can expect to start with an annual salary in the range of approximately $65,766 to $105,402, depending on their skill level and the specific demands of their roles. While the starting electrical engineer salary in Kenosha may seem lower than the city’s projected median, a path exists for rapid income growth within the first few years, as entry-level engineers can anticipate progressing through the salary tiers, potentially reaching the P25 of $81,293 or even moving toward the median. Given the 3.65% growth rate projected over the next five years, the Kenosha job market offers promising entry-level opportunities for new grads, especially in sectors such as technology and utilities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenosha
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 Kenosha
Entry-level electrical engineers in Kenosha, WI typically start between $65,766 and $81,293 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $105,246 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,402 — 15.7% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 83.63% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($65,766/year) in Kenosha. 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 Kenosha
- 1Research the Kenosha market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $65,766 to $81,293, 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 Kenosha, 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 Kenosha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenosha'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 Kenosha is $105,246 ( 160.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,766, experienced hygienists can earn up to $171,012.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,235
2025 BLS Actual
$63,450
2026 Current Est.
$65,766
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,235 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,274 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,457 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,766 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,166 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kenosha, WI grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,235 in 2019 to $63,450 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,166. New graduates entering the Kenosha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 Kenosha
In Kenosha, notable employers like semiconductor giants and defense contractors frequently seek newly minted electrical engineers, providing structured training programs and competitive pay. Companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and AMD target graduates for chip design roles and often offer significantly higher initial salaries reflective of the semiconductor industry's competitive pay framework. Credentials like a bachelor's in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program and an EIT designation from passing the FE exam can enhance starting electrical engineer pay in WI. Furthermore, obtaining security clearance can also elevate earning potential, especially for positions in defense sectors. New graduates should aim for a strategic career trajectory during their first 1-3 years, focusing on practical experience and potentially pursuing further credentials like PE licensure. While immediate financial returns may vary, exploring diverse sectors will equip candidates for substantial long-term growth as they advance within their chosen paths.
More salary data for Kenosha, 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 Kenosha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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