Electrical Engineer Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $114,976 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $114,976/year (≈ $55.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $128,321 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In St. Joseph, Missouri, the anticipated electrical engineer salary for 2026 is projected to reach $114,976, which reflects a notable difference from the national median of $125,033. The pay range for this role spans from $71,056 at the 10th percentile to $169,931 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight the unique job market dynamics in St. Joseph. Specialization plays a significant role in determining compensation, with electrical engineers working in semiconductor or chip design often earning more compared to those in utility power systems or other sectors. This creates a diverse landscape of opportunities, especially for professionals equipped with the right credentials and experience.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,056 | $34.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,277 | $41.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,976 | $55.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,116 | $68.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,931 | $81.70 |
Median Salary Position
8.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,875 (2026 est.). At $114,976, the local median is 8.04% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $114,976/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $114,632 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -8.04% less |
Electrical Engineers in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $114,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.04% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $114,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $114,976 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,321 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,605
2025 BLS Actual
$110,927
2026 Current Est.
$114,976
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,605 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,343 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,347 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,927 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,976 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,172 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $90,605 (2019) to $110,927 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,172 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,567 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $71,056 – $86,277 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,277 – $114,976 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,976 – $143,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,116 – $169,931 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in St. Joseph
The local job market shows a modest but steady presence of electrical engineers, with approximately 18 professionals currently employed in St. Joseph, MO. The city’s cost-of-living index of 89.6 suggests that while salaries may trail behind national averages, the relative affordability of the area positively impacts take-home pay. Tech companies and defense contractors—including major players in chip design and cleared work—tend to offer some of the highest salaries. However, utility and power systems positions typically lag in terms of cash compensation but provide stability and benefits. The variance in pay can be influenced by factors such as security clearance levels, the education tier of the candidates, and whether one is on a management or individual contributor track. For engineers looking to maximize their earning potential in St. Joseph, focusing on industries with higher pay premiums, like semiconductors or defense, while continuing professional development through credentials like the PE license can be beneficial.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
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 $110,927 for electrical engineersin the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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