Electrical Engineer Salary in Laurel, MD: $129,821 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Laurel, MD earns a median $129,821/year (≈ $62.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $118,775 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Maryland, electrical engineers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,821 in 2026, outperforming the national median by approximately 3.83%. The local salary range spans from $86,344 for the lowest 10% to $194,820 for the top earners, reflecting a vibrant job market shaped by a mix of industries and career paths. Engineers here often face a critical choice between pursuing the individual contributor (IC) track or transitioning into management roles, with the latter typically promising higher total compensation. As the workforce adapts to both emerging technologies and regional economic trends, opportunities in sectors such as semiconductor design and defense contracting are particularly responsive to this salary structure.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,344 | $41.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,493 | $48.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,821 | $62.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,552 | $79.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,820 | $93.66 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,476 (2026 est.). At $129,821, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Laurel median: $129,821/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $136,653 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | +3.83% more |
Electrical Engineers in Laurel, MD earn a median of $129,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $136,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $129,821 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,775 — a 8.51% reduction.
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
$102,303
2025 BLS Actual
$125,249
2026 Current Est.
$129,821
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,265 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,276 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,045 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,249 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,821 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $102,303 (2019) to $125,249 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,256 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $86,344 – $101,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,493 – $129,821 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,821 – $164,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,552 – $194,820 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Laurel
The job market in Laurel for electrical engineers is relatively concentrated, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited pool can amplify competition among engineers, posing both challenges and opportunities regarding salary negotiations. The cost of living index sits at 109.3, slightly above the national average, which places additional pressure on take-home pay for residents. Employers such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman lead the way in providing attractive compensation packages, especially for those with security clearance. To maximize earning potential, engineers should consider enhancing their qualifications through certifications or advanced degrees while targeting sectors known for higher salaries, like semiconductor applications and defense. Those ready to embrace the IC versus management career path will also need to assess how their choices align with their long-term financial goals.
More salary data for Laurel, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Laurel, MD in 2026?
Is Laurel, MD a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Laurel?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Laurel?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Laurel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $125,249 for electrical engineersin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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