Electrical Engineer Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $169,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $169,696/year (≈ $81.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $177,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 43.8% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Albuquerque, NM can expect a median annual salary of $169,696, substantially outperforming the national median of $125,033 by about 35.72%. The projected salary range for this profession spans from $108,034 on the lower end (P10) to as high as $210,078 (P90) at the upper end, highlighting the lucrative potential of this field. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting Albuquerque's robust job market for electrical engineers. With the hiring presence of prominent tech and defense companies, positions that require security clearances are increasingly essential, driving competitive wages for those engaged in sensitive projects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $108,034 | $51.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,528 | $65.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,696 | $81.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,078 | $101.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,078 | $101.00 |
Median Salary Position
35.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,044 (2026 est.). At $169,696, the local median is 35.72% above the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be above the median
How Albuquerque Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $169,696/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $118,008 | +43.80% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +35.72% more |
Electrical Engineers in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $169,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.72% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 43.80% above the New Mexico state average of $118,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $169,696 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $177,607 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,420
2025 BLS Actual
$163,720
2026 Current Est.
$169,696
2019–2027 Growth
+47.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 37.1% from $119,420 (2019) to $163,720 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,470 (47.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $108,034 – $136,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,528 – $169,696 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,696 – $210,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,078 – $210,078 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Albuquerque
The local employment landscape shows a strong demand for electrical engineers, with around 1,280 professionals currently in the field. As of 2025, the cost-of-living index for Albuquerque sits at 95.546, suggesting that salaries stretch further here than in many other regions. Major employers such as Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Tesla provide some of the highest compensation packages, especially for engineers with experience in semiconductor design or those possessing security clearances. While utility roles generally lag in salary, they provide long-term stability and other benefits. The disparity in electrical engineer pay in Albuquerque can be influenced by factors such as the industry, level of security clearance, educational background, and the choice between an individual contributor role or management track. Those looking to maximize their earnings might consider targeting the semiconductor industry or defense contracting positions, ensuring they maintain the necessary credentials and skill sets that elevate their marketability.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 $163,720 for electrical engineersin the Albuquerque 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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