Electrical Engineer Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $121,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $121,551/year (≈ $58.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $123,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, MN, the 2026 median annual salary for electrical engineers is projected at $121,551, slightly trailing the national median of $125,033. This creates a competitive local environment for talent in high-demand sectors such as semiconductor and chip design, where pay scales can reach as high as $175,618 for the upper percentile. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $78,469 to $175,618, reflecting the diverse opportunities available. The figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments for regional costs, indicating that professionals here can expect substantial compensation compared to other fields in the area. Employers in Cottage Grove, particularly in high-tech and defense, often provide advantageous pay structures that enhance the overall appeal of electrical engineering roles.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,469 | $37.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,275 | $44.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,551 | $58.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,565 | $71.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,618 | $84.43 |
Median Salary Position
2.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,149 (2026 est.). At $121,551, the local median is 2.78% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $121,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $123,152 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -2.78% less |
Electrical Engineers in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $121,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.78% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $123,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $121,551 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $123,402 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,786
2025 BLS Actual
$117,271
2026 Current Est.
$121,551
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,786 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,022 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,624 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,972 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,988 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $95,786 (2019) to $117,271 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,988 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,202 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $78,469 – $93,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,275 – $121,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,551 – $149,565 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,565 – $175,618 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Cottage Grove
The job market for electrical engineers in Cottage Grove is relatively small, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area, but it remains robust against the backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 98.5, which offers a favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. Companies like Intel, Nvidia, and various defense contractors are among the top employers, typically offering higher salaries due to the specialized skills required, especially for positions that necessitate security clearance. The compensation spread is influenced by industry demand, with semiconductor and chip design roles generally commanding higher pay than positions in utility or power systems, which, despite lower salaries, provide job stability. To maximize earnings, engineers should focus on enhancing their qualifications, such as pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, and consider opportunities in specialized sectors where their expertise can command premium compensation.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $117,271 for electrical engineersin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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