Electrical Engineer Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $128,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $128,729/year (≈ $61.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $119,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $128,729, which is slightly above the national median figure of $125,033, reflecting a 2.96% premium in this local market. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, from $86,334 at the 10th percentile to as high as $180,643 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and suggest that Portsmouth may present attractive opportunities for those holding security clearances, especially in defense-related roles. With a modest local workforce of only five electrical engineers, demand dynamics could drive further growth in compensation.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,334 | $41.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,869 | $48.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,729 | $61.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,468 | $75.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,643 | $86.85 |
Median Salary Position
2.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,309 (2026 est.). At $128,729, the local median is 2.96% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $128,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $134,093 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | +2.96% more |
Electrical Engineers in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $128,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $134,093.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,729 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,971 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,290
2025 BLS Actual
$124,196
2026 Current Est.
$128,729
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 27.7% from $97,290 (2019) to $124,196 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,138 (37.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $86,334 – $100,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,869 – $128,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,729 – $156,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,468 – $180,643 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Portsmouth
The cost of living index in Portsmouth stands at 107.3, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are slightly above the national average, which can influence take-home pay for electrical engineers. Major employers in the area include defense contractors like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, which tend to pay a premium for roles requiring security clearances. Additionally, companies in the semiconductor industry, such as Intel and Nvidia, offer competitive salaries driven by the high demand for expertise in chip design. The salary spread stems from various factors, including the type of work, the necessity of advanced degrees, and the value placed on security clearances. To maximize earnings in Portsmouth's electrical engineering market, professionals would benefit from seeking out opportunities in high-paying sectors, securing relevant credentials, and considering roles that combine technical and management responsibilities.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 $124,196 for electrical engineersin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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