Electrical Engineer Salary in Urbandale, IA: $104,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Urbandale, IA earns a median $104,579/year (≈ $50.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $115,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Urbandale, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,579, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $125,033. The salary spectrum in this region ranges from a low of $70,425 to a high of $154,391, indicating diverse opportunities and compensation levels depending on experience and specialization. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, hint at a market with a distinct profile for electrical engineers. The presence of several sectors in Urbandale, including semiconductors and defense contracting, influences salary scales significantly, not only attracting talent but also offering roles that require specific qualifications, such as security clearances for government-related projects.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,425 | $33.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,483 | $39.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,579 | $50.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,925 | $62.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,391 | $74.22 |
Median Salary Position
16.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,966 (2026 est.). At $104,579, the local median is 16.36% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $104,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $109,506 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.36% less |
Electrical Engineers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $104,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.36% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $109,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,411
2025 BLS Actual
$100,896
2026 Current Est.
$104,579
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,992 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,418 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,396 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,411 (2019) to $100,896 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,985 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $70,425 – $82,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,483 – $104,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,579 – $130,925 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,925 – $154,391 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Urbandale
With only 12 electrical engineers currently employed in Urbandale, the local job market for this profession may seem niche, yet it has unique advantages. The cost of living index at 90.4 suggests that residents can leverage their earnings more effectively, allowing for a better quality of life compared to national averages. Companies such as Lockheed Martin and Intel typically offer the highest pay within the local engineering landscape, with the semiconductor industry commanding a significant salary premium. Meanwhile, differences in compensation can arise from a variety of factors, including the nature of the employer—defense contractors generally provide higher salaries due to the security clearance requirements, while utility firms may offer stability but at a lower pay scale. For electrical engineers looking to maximize their pay in Urbandale, pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors, obtaining relevant certifications, or transitioning into management roles could prove beneficial in boosting earning potential.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $100,896 for electrical engineersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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