Electrical Engineer Salary in Waukee, IA: $104,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Waukee, IA earns a median $104,719/year (≈ $50.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $115,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Waukee, IA, the 2026 median annual electrical engineer salary is projected to be $104,719, which reflects significant local industry dynamics. Electrical engineers in this area can expect to see salaries ranging from $69,362 at the lower end to $146,682 for top earners. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and are adjusted for regional price parity, providing a clearer snapshot of the local job market. While this salary is notably lower than the national median of $125,033, it does highlight opportunities for engineers willing to explore specialized roles, particularly in rapidly growing sectors such as semiconductor design or defense contracting.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,362 | $33.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,671 | $39.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,719 | $50.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,884 | $61.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,682 | $70.52 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,320 (2026 est.). At $104,719, the local median is 16.25% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukee Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Waukee median: $104,719/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $109,424 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -16.25% less |
Electrical Engineers in Waukee, IA earn a median of $104,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $109,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee 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.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $104,719 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,840 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,522
2025 BLS Actual
$101,031
2026 Current Est.
$104,719
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,522 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,533 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,031 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,522 (2019) to $101,031 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,019 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $69,362 – $81,671 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,671 – $104,719 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,719 – $126,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,884 – $146,682 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Waukee
With only four electrical engineers currently employed in Waukee, the local job market may seem limited, yet it reflects targeted growth in specific industries. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that purchasing power is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Major employers like Intel and Apple typically offer higher salaries, driven by the semiconductor and chip design sectors, while companies engaged in defense work may provide additional compensation due to security clearances. Although utility roles lag in terms of immediate cash compensation, they offer long-term stability, which can be attractive. Remaining competitive in this market involves understanding the nuances of industry tier expectations, particularly the differences in pay between management and technical tracks, and pursuing advanced credentials such as a PE license to enhance marketability in Waukee.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Waukee?
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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 $101,031 for electrical engineersin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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