Electrical Engineer Salary in Southfield, MI: $105,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Southfield, MI earns a median $105,166/year (≈ $50.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Southfield's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $112,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, electrical engineers in Southfield, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $105,166, a figure that reflects local adjustments based on the cost of living. The salary range varies significantly, from $64,052 at the lower end to $163,008 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures provide insight into the job market catering to multiple sectors, including semiconductor and chip design, utility power systems, and defense-captured work. Notably, Southfield's electrical engineer compensation trails the national median of $125,033 by approximately 15.89%, suggesting a competitive yet uniquely tiered local market where the demand for specialized skills varies broadly.
About the Southfield Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,052 | $30.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,209 | $37.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,166 | $50.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,613 | $64.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,008 | $78.37 |
Median Salary Position
15.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southfield
In Southfield, MI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,956 (2026 est.). At $105,166, the local median is 15.89% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southfield Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Southfield median: $105,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $105,483 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -15.89% less |
Electrical Engineers in Southfield, MI earn a median of $105,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $105,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southfield has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Southfield, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $105,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,874
2025 BLS Actual
$101,463
2026 Current Est.
$105,166
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,464 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,957 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,387 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southfield metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $82,874 (2019) to $101,463 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,131 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southfield 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) | $64,052 – $78,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,209 – $105,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,166 – $134,613 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,613 – $163,008 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Southfield
With only 19 electrical engineers currently employed in the Southfield area, the market for these professionals is somewhat limited, though the cost of living remains attractive with a CoL index of 93.2, indicating greater purchasing power compared to national averages. Major employers, including industry leaders in semiconductor design like Intel and Apple, typically offer higher salaries than those found in more traditional sectors like utilities. Factors influencing the salary differential include the industry's focus, potential for security clearance premiums, and varying educational requirements, from bachelor's to PhD levels. Engineers aiming to maximize their pay in Southfield should consider positions in high-demand areas such as chip design or pursue certifications that align with management roles or specialized technical tracks.
More salary data for Southfield, MI:
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 $101,463 for electrical engineersin the Southfield 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 Southfield 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