Electrical Engineer Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $108,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $108,014/year (≈ $51.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $112,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Indianapolis can expect to earn a median annual salary of $108,014, which represents a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $125,033. The salary range in the Indianapolis market spans from $78,670 at the 10th percentile to $160,834 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates varying levels of experience and specialization. Data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicates a steady occupational demand driven partly by security clearance requirements within local sectors. With about 1,260 electrical engineers employed in the area, the job market dynamics and competitive salaries reflect the unique industrial needs specific to the Indianapolis region, including strengths in defense and semiconductor industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,122 | $40.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,014 | $51.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,439 | $65.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,834 | $77.32 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,164 (2026 est.). At $108,014, the local median is 13.61% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indianapolis Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $108,014/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $104,462 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -13.61% less |
Electrical Engineers in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $108,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.40% above the Indiana state average of $104,462.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $108,014 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,990
2025 BLS Actual
$104,210
2026 Current Est.
$108,014
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 14.5% from $90,990 (2019) to $104,210 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,966 (23.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $78,670 – $84,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,122 – $108,014 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,014 – $135,439 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,439 – $160,834 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Indianapolis
Local economic factors significantly influence electrical engineer pay in Indianapolis, particularly when considering the cost of living index, which stands at 95.696—indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Intel are among the highest-paying employers, often offering salaries above the local median due to demand for security clearances. The spread in compensation within this field is also shaped by industry segments, with employers in semiconductor design typically providing the highest remuneration compared to utility and power systems roles, which emphasize stability over high cash compensation. To maximize earning potential, aspiring electrical engineers in Indianapolis should consider acquiring advanced degrees or professional engineering (PE) licensure, particularly for roles requiring specialized knowledge or security clearances. Networking within local professional organizations like IEEE can also provide valuable insights and opportunities within this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Indianapolis, 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 $104,210 for electrical engineersin the Indianapolis 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