Electrical Engineer Salary in Wilmington, DE: $134,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Wilmington, DE earns a median $134,654/year (≈ $64.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $132,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $134,654 for electrical engineers in Wilmington, Delaware, professionals in the field are achieving salaries that exceed the national average by approximately 7.69%. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $84,234 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $200,113 at the top (P90), illustrating a diverse market with opportunities across various experience and education levels. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data, accounting for regional price variations, which are crucial in understanding the compensation landscape. As Wilmington continues to house key technology and defense firms, the potential to earn competitively in this sector could attract skilled engineers, especially those holding higher-level clearances or specialized certifications.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,234 | $40.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,702 | $48.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,654 | $64.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,372 | $80.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,113 | $96.21 |
Median Salary Position
7.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,879 (2026 est.). At $134,654, the local median is 7.69% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $134,654/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $127,152 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +7.69% more |
Electrical Engineers in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $134,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 5.90% above the Delaware state average of $127,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,654 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,403 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,111
2025 BLS Actual
$129,912
2026 Current Est.
$134,654
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,111 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,179 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $106,111 (2019) to $129,912 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,458 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $84,234 – $101,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,702 – $134,654 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,654 – $168,372 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,372 – $200,113 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Wilmington
In Wilmington, the local job market for electrical engineers appears robust, with about ten professionals employed in the area. Despite the cost of living index at 101.7, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, the purchasing power for engineers remains favorable given the salaries on offer. Major employers, particularly in the semiconductor and defense sectors, influence the pay dynamics significantly. Companies like Lockheed Martin and NVIDIA are known for paying competitive wages, especially for positions requiring security clearances. The spread between the lower and upper salary ranges is driven by industry segment, educational qualifications, and specific skills, such as expertise in chip design or experience in defense contracts. To maximize pay, engineers should focus on obtaining advanced degrees or security clearances and consider roles in high-demand areas like semiconductors or leading tech firms, where compensation is typically higher.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
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
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 $129,912 for electrical engineersin the Wilmington 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
Salary data for Wilmington 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