Electrical Engineer Salary in Gary, IN: $104,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Gary, IN earns a median $104,593/year (≈ $50.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Gary's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $114,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Gary, Indiana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $104,593. This figure reflects a significant pay range from $64,479 at the lower end to $162,120 at the higher end, demonstrating a diverse compensation landscape for electrical engineering roles in the area. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, taking into account local adjustments for regional cost-of-living factors. The compensation for electrical engineers in Gary, particularly in specialized roles that require security clearance or advanced degrees, can significantly exceed the median, influenced by both regional demand and the local market's unique industry footprint.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,479 | $31.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,285 | $37.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,593 | $50.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,071 | $62.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,120 | $77.94 |
Median Salary Position
16.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gary
In Gary, IN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,641 (2026 est.). At $104,593, the local median is 16.35% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gary Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Gary median: $104,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $104,489 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.35% less |
Electrical Engineers in Gary, IN earn a median of $104,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.35% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $104,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gary has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gary, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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
$82,423
2025 BLS Actual
$100,910
2026 Current Est.
$104,593
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,423 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,004 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,246 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gary metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,423 (2019) to $100,910 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,988 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gary 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) | $64,479 – $78,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,285 – $104,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,593 – $130,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,071 – $162,120 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Gary
Currently, Gary employs only 14 electrical engineers, which speaks to a somewhat limited local job market but could imply less competition for available positions. With a cost of living index at 91.3, engineers may find their purchasing power relatively stable compared to national standards, which can make the lower salaries more palatable. Major employers that pay well include defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, which often offer salaries above average due to the security clearance premium. Other significant players may include tech companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing. Engineers looking to enhance their earning potential should consider obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license or advancing into management roles, as these paths typically offer higher financial rewards. Furthermore, those positioned in industries such as chip design may find even greater opportunities for pay increases, reflecting the strong demand for specialized skills within the sector.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Gary, IN in 2026?
Is Gary, IN a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Gary?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Gary?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Gary?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $100,910 for electrical engineersin the Gary 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 Gary 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