Electrical Engineer Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $144,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $144,589/year (≈ $69.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $125,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in New Brunswick, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $144,589, which is notably higher than the national average of $125,033, indicating a robust local market for this profession. Salaries in this city range from $89,728 at the lower end to as much as $219,250 for those who reach the upper 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, adjusted for regional price variances. The pay reflects the demand for skilled engineers and the decision between pursuing the individual contributor (IC) track or transitioning into management, with significant salary jumps often occurring with higher-level responsibilities.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,728 | $43.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,665 | $52.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $144,589 | $69.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $183,418 | $88.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,250 | $105.41 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,522 (2026 est.). At $144,589, the local median is 15.64% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $144,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $144,013 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +15.64% more |
Electrical Engineers in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $144,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $144,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $144,589 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,511 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,940
2025 BLS Actual
$139,497
2026 Current Est.
$144,589
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,019 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,497 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $144,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $149,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $113,940 (2019) to $139,497 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $149,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,926 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $89,728 – $108,665 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,665 – $144,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $144,589 – $183,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $183,418 – $219,250 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in New Brunswick
New Brunswick's job market shows strength, albeit with only eight electrical engineers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may not stretch as far as in lower-cost areas. Among local employers, those in the semiconductor industry, such as Intel and AMD, tend to offer the most lucrative positions due to the high demand for chip design expertise. Meanwhile, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman provide good compensation for roles requiring security clearances, which can further elevate earnings. For those in power systems, utility roles generally come with stability and pension benefits, though they may not match tech salaries. To maximize pay in New Brunswick, engineers should pursue advanced degrees or certifications like a PE license while considering positions that leverage their skills in high-demand industries.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in New Brunswick, NJ in 2026?
Is New Brunswick, NJ a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in New Brunswick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in New Brunswick?
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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 $139,497 for electrical engineersin the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick 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