Electrical Engineer Salary in Phoenix, AZ: $102,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Phoenix, AZ earns a median $102,779/year (≈ $49.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Phoenix's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $99,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those charting a career in electrical engineering, the 2026 median annual salary of $102,779 in Phoenix, AZ, presents a competitive offering compared to the national average of $125,033. Salary ranges from $78,318 to $171,561, indicating a strong disparity influenced by career trajectories such as the individual contributor (IC) versus management tracks. Professionals may find that pursuing advanced degrees or obtaining specialized certifications like a PE license can significantly boost earning potential. Moreover, as the demand for skilled engineers continues to grow, Phoenix’s job market is poised for robust opportunities particularly for those aligned with industries driving high salaries, such as semiconductor and defense sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,318 | $37.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,998 | $40.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,779 | $49.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,051 | $65.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,561 | $82.48 |
Median Salary Position
17.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phoenix
In Phoenix, AZ, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,243 (2026 est.). At $102,779, the local median is 17.8% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Phoenix: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Phoenix Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Phoenix median: $102,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phoenix Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $125,033 | -17.80% less |
Electrical Engineers in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $102,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.80% lower than the national median of $125,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phoenix has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Phoenix, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 103.316 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,779 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,480 — a 3.21% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$98,670
2025 BLS Actual
$99,160
2026 Current Est.
$102,779
2019–2027 Growth
+8.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,531 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phoenix metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 0.5% from $98,670 (2019) to $99,160 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,531 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,861 (7.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,318 – $83,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,998 – $102,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,779 – $136,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,051 – $171,561 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Phoenix
Navigating the local job market reveals approximately 3,420 electrical engineers employed in Phoenix, a number that reflects the area's vibrant tech landscape. Despite a cost-of-living index of 103.316, which suggests slightly higher expenses than the national average, the compensation for electrical engineer pay in Phoenix, AZ, remains appealing. Top employers include major semiconductor companies like Intel and Nvidia, alongside leading defense contractors such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, which typically offer premium salaries tied to security clearance requirements. The spread in compensation often stems from industry differences; semiconductor roles generally yield higher pay than those in utilities or traditional engineering sectors. Those aiming to maximize earnings might consider the potential benefits of equity and bonuses offered by tech firms or pursue roles in high-demand specializations that reward advanced skills, particularly in the growing EV and power systems arenas.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Phoenix, AZ in 2026?
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Phoenix?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Phoenix?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Phoenix?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,160 for electrical engineersin the Phoenix metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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