Electrical Engineer Salary in Carson City, NV: $119,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Carson City, NV earns a median $119,775/year (≈ $57.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Carson City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $121,846 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Nevada state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electrical engineers in Carson City, NV, can expect a median annual salary of $119,775 in 2026, which is about 4.21% lower than the national median of $125,033. The salary range for this profession spans from $78,238 at the lower end (P10) to $182,447 at the 90th percentile (P90), offering substantial earning potential depending on experience and specialization. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Within this job market, professionals who choose to pursue a technical (individual contributor, or IC) track versus a management track will see pronounced differences in total compensation, particularly at higher experience levels, reflecting the inherent trade-offs in responsibilities and earning potential.
About the Carson City Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,238 | $37.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,948 | $44.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,775 | $57.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,067 | $73.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,447 | $87.72 |
Median Salary Position
4.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson City
In Carson City, NV, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,209 (2026 est.). At $119,775, the local median is 4.21% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson City Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Carson City median: $119,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $122,846 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -4.21% less |
Electrical Engineers in Carson City, NV earn a median of $119,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 2.50% below the Nevada state average of $122,846.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson City has a cost of living 1.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson City, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.3 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $119,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,846 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$94,386
2025 BLS Actual
$115,557
2026 Current Est.
$119,775
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Carson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $94,386 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,197 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,975 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson City metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $94,386 (2019) to $115,557 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,761 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson City 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) | $78,238 – $92,948 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,948 – $119,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,775 – $152,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,067 – $182,447 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Carson City
The local job market in Carson City employs just 14 electrical engineers, indicating a niche but potentially competitive environment for job seekers. With a cost-of-living index of 98.3, residents benefit from a lower-than-average expense structure, impacting how far an electrical engineer's salary goes toward living expenses. High-paying opportunities tend to arise from the semiconductor sector, with companies like Nvidia and Intel often offering the most competitive salaries. Other well-paying employers include defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, which provide premiums for security clearance roles. The disparity between low and high pay rates in the area can often be traced back to industry type, security clearance needs, educational credentials, and career track choices. For those aiming to maximize their pay in this unique market, pursuing work in semiconductor chip design, investing in relevant certifications like a PE license, or gaining security clearances can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Carson City, NV:
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 $115,557 for electrical engineersin the Carson City 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 Carson City 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