Electrical Engineer Salary in Elko, NV: $115,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Elko, NV earns a median $115,002/year (≈ $55.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Elko's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $116,991 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Nevada state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Elko, Nevada, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $115,002, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national figure of $125,033. The salary range for electrical engineers in this region spans from $81,575 at the 10th percentile to $160,186 at the 90th percentile. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The local job market has unique dynamics, often influenced by the specific industries that dominate the area, such as semiconductor and chip design, which tend to offer the highest salary potential, followed closely by positions in defense due to the security clearance premium.
About the Elko Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,575 | $39.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,620 | $45.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,002 | $55.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,786 | $66.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,186 | $77.01 |
Median Salary Position
8.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elko
In Elko, NV, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,611 (2026 est.). At $115,002, the local median is 8.02% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elko: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elko Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Elko median: $115,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elko Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $122,865 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -8.02% less |
Electrical Engineers in Elko, NV earn a median of $115,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.02% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 6.40% below the Nevada state average of $122,865.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elko 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.
Elko, NV has a cost-of-living index of 98.3 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $115,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,991 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,625
2025 BLS Actual
$110,952
2026 Current Est.
$115,002
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Elko (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,625 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,363 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,952 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elko metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $90,625 (2019) to $110,952 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,574 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elko 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) | $81,575 – $93,620 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,620 – $115,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,002 – $138,786 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,786 – $160,186 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Elko
The employment environment for electrical engineers in Elko is relatively small, with only four professionals in this field currently working in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 98.3, engineers may find that their take-home pay holds substantial purchasing power. Major employers that lead in compensation include tech giants like Nvidia and Intel, along with defense contractors, which typically offer higher salaries due to the nature of the work. Differences in pay arise from various factors, including industry specialization, the need for security clearances, and the educational background of candidates. Engineers aiming to maximize their earnings in Elko should consider focusing on fields with a higher pay scale, pursuing professional certifications like the PE license, and keeping an eye on opportunities within both tech and defense sectors, where demand for specialized skills remains high.
More salary data for Elko, 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 $110,952 for electrical engineersin the Elko 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 Elko 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