Electrical Engineer Salary in Moorhead, MN: $118,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Moorhead, MN earns a median $118,445/year (≈ $56.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $120,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the electrical engineering sector in Moorhead, Minnesota, presents a median annual salary of $118,445, reflecting a modest decline of 5.27% compared to the national figure of $125,033. Salaries for electrical engineers in the area range significantly, from $81,153 at the 10th percentile up to $180,542 at the 90th percentile. This wage disparity is indicative of the varying demand across specialties; engineers involved in semiconductor and chip design typically command higher pay compared to those engaged in utility power systems or defense-related projects. Local estimates from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, provide a snapshot of a market where specific skill sets, such as those required for chip design at companies like Apple or Nvidia, significantly boost earning potential.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,153 | $39.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,355 | $45.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,445 | $56.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,835 | $69.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,542 | $86.80 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,389 (2026 est.). At $118,445, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $118,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $123,124 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -5.27% less |
Electrical Engineers in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $118,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $123,124.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $118,445 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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
$93,338
2025 BLS Actual
$114,274
2026 Current Est.
$118,445
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,129 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,876 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,941 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,274 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $93,338 (2019) to $114,274 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,430 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $81,153 – $94,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,355 – $118,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,445 – $144,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,835 – $180,542 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Moorhead
The local job market employs 11 electrical engineers and showcases a cost-of-living index of 98.5, which implies that living expenses are slightly below the national average. This context can affect how much electrical engineers retain from their salaries in Moorhead, MN, as purchasing power may be better than areas with higher indices. Among local employers, tech companies engaged in the semiconductor industry generally pay the most, leveraging the industry's lucrative nature. Differences in compensation can arise from industry, with semiconductor and defense jobs often featuring security clearance premiums or requiring advanced degrees, such as PhDs. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring engineers can focus on acquiring skills in high-demand sectors, pursuing relevant certifications, and weighing the trade-offs between management positions and individual contributor roles, as these choices can greatly influence their salary trajectory.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Moorhead, MN in 2026?
Is Moorhead, MN a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Moorhead?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Moorhead?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Moorhead?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $114,274 for electrical engineersin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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