Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $104,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $104,458/year (≈ $50.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $112,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, electrical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $104,458, reflecting the competitive job market tied to multiple sectors, particularly semiconductor and chip design, which typically offers some of the highest compensation. The salary range is quite broad, from $69,176 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $159,455 at the upper end (90th percentile). This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the varied opportunities available in both defense contracting and utility systems roles. With growing demand for skilled engineers in Fort Wayne's evolving job landscape, especially in sectors focused on technology and power systems, those entering or currently in the field can strategically position themselves for better pay and advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,176 | $33.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,086 | $39.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,458 | $50.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,878 | $61.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,455 | $76.66 |
Median Salary Position
16.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,279 (2026 est.). At $104,458, the local median is 16.46% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Wayne Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $104,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.46% less |
Electrical Engineers in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $104,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.46% lower than the national median of $125,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,458 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,840 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,830
2025 BLS Actual
$100,780
2026 Current Est.
$104,458
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,271 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 23.2% from $81,830 (2019) to $100,780 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,271 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,441 (32.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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) | $69,176 – $83,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,086 – $104,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,458 – $128,878 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,878 – $159,455 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fort Wayne
Employers in Fort Wayne are hiring around 370 electrical engineers, creating a robust local job market. Notably, the cost of living here is approximately 7% lower than the national average, making the take-home pay for engineers more favorable when assessed against living expenses. Companies such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, along with tech giants like Intel and Apple, tend to offer the highest salaries, reflecting increased demand for specialized skills such as those requiring security clearances or advanced degrees. This disparity in pay often stems from several factors, including industry focus, the distinction between technical and management roles, and work requiring security clearance. Therefore, to maximize earning potential, engineers should consider pursuing advanced credentials, exploring roles with defense contractors or in semiconductor firms, and keeping an eye on emerging companies in the EV sector that are making substantial investments in Fort Wayne's workforce.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 $100,780 for electrical engineersin the Fort Wayne 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