Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $100,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $100,471/year (≈ $48.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $111,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, the electrical engineer salary is projected to reach a median of $100,471 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $125,033 for the same year. The salary range for electrical engineers spans from $68,368 at the 10th percentile to $142,137 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price disparities, highlight the localized aspects of compensation. Given that only four electrical engineers are currently employed in the area, the job market appears limited, which may influence the salary dynamics for existing roles in Fort Dodge.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,368 | $32.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,443 | $38.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,471 | $48.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,964 | $60.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,137 | $68.34 |
Median Salary Position
19.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,769 (2026 est.). At $100,471, the local median is 19.64% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $100,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $109,446 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -19.64% less |
Electrical Engineers in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $100,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.64% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $109,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $100,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,174
2025 BLS Actual
$96,933
2026 Current Est.
$100,471
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,174 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,138 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $79,174 (2019) to $96,933 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,138 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,964 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $68,368 – $79,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,443 – $100,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,471 – $124,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,964 – $142,137 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fort Dodge
Considering the cost of living index in Fort Dodge stands at 90.4, which is below the national average, this could enhance the purchasing power of engineers in the area despite lower salary ranges. Employers in Fort Dodge that may offer competitive wages include smaller tech firms and regional power companies, but opportunities in high-paying sectors such as semiconductor design and defense contracting are scarce due to the local market size. The variance in pay can often be attributed to industry differences and the presence of a security clearance premium; those in defense roles tend to earn more due to these factors. For engineers looking to maximize their pay in Fort Dodge, pursuing specialization in high-demand sectors or securing relevant certifications, such as the PE license, can be advantageous in this specific market context.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
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 $96,933 for electrical engineersin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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