Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Sun Prairie, WI: $62,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Sun Prairie, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,905 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sun Prairie's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,350 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,529) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, new graduates entering the electrical engineering field can expect a starting salary around $62,905 in 2026. This figure is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $101,529, indicating a significant gap for entry-level positions. However, early-career professionals have a promising growth trajectory as they gain experience, moving from the initial pay level to the $82,146 mark in the 25th percentile within a few years. Given the competitive job market, Sun Prairie provides viable opportunities for new electrical engineers, particularly as demand continues to grow in various sectors.
About the Sun Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sun Prairie
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 Sun Prairie
Entry-level electrical engineers in Sun Prairie, WI typically start between $62,905 and $82,146 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,277 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,529 — 18.8% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 87.43% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($62,905/year) in Sun Prairie. 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 Sun Prairie
- 1Research the Sun Prairie market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $62,905 to $82,146, 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 Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sun Prairie'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 Sun Prairie is $90,277 ( 143.51%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,905, experienced hygienists can earn up to $153,182.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,963
2025 BLS Actual
$60,690
2026 Current Est.
$62,905
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,026 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,201 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Sun Prairie, WI grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,963 in 2019 to $60,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,201. New graduates entering the Sun Prairie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie
Focusing on potential employers in the Sun Prairie area, you'll find that while large semiconductor companies like Apple and Nvidia often seek advanced degrees, relevant entry-level roles do exist. These organizations not only value bachelor's degrees from ABET-accredited programs but also benefit from candidates who have passed the FE exam, leading to EIT status. Candidates aspiring to enhance their starting electrical engineer pay in Wisconsin might also consider pursuing a Professional Engineer (PE) license after gaining four years of supervised experience. Defense contractors such as Lockheed and Northrop are open to hiring new grads with security clearances, which command a premium pay scale. Moreover, power systems training programs offered by utility companies provide stability, albeit often with lower initial salaries compared to tech industries. Entry-level engineers can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases over their first three years as they navigate career paths aligned with semiconductor design, defense projects, or utility systems.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in Sun Prairie in 2026?
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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 Sun Prairie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sun Prairie 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