Electrical Engineer Salary in North Carolina: $119,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $119,849/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $128,044 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($130,240), Chapel Hill ($130,109), Cary ($129,620).
In 2026, electrical engineers in North Carolina can expect an average median salary of $119,848, which is approximately 4.1% below the national median of $125,033. The salary landscape within the state showcases significant variation, with Raleigh offering the highest average at $134,994, compared to Winston’s $94,508, creating a salary gap of $40,486. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of tech companies and research institutions in metropolitan areas like Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham, which drive demand for skilled engineers. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements that electrical engineers must meet, including obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can influence earning potential and job responsibilities. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in the state is 3.65%, indicating a steady demand for electrical engineers. The total number employed is currently 6,495, suggesting a strong job market, particularly in top-paying cities such as Chapel Hill with $134,858, Cary at $134,351, and Durham at $133,740. Asheville also ranks competitively with an average of $127,987, reflecting broader demand drivers such as a growing technology sector and infrastructure development across North Carolina.
North Carolina Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $29,996 (lowest entry-level) to $229,118 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina electrical engineers earn 4.15% less than the national median ($-5,184/year difference).
North Carolina Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in North Carolina range from $72,717 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $208,750 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $119,849. The North Carolina median is $5,184 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $57.62/hr. Approximately 6,495 electrical engineers are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$96,279
2025 BLS Actual
$115,628
2026 Current Est.
$119,849
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,438 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,231 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,628 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,223 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 20.1% from $96,279 (2019) to $115,628 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,944 (29.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Winston | $94,508 |
| Greenville | $98,530 |
| Pinehurst | $101,000 |
| Leland | $101,187 |
| Carrboro | $102,704 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | $134,858 | 93.6 | $144,079 |
| Cary | $134,351 | 93.6 | $143,537 |
| Raleigh | $134,994 | 98.157 | $137,529 |
| Durham | $133,740 | 97.572 | $137,068 |
| Burlington | $124,017 | 93.196 | $133,071 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,717 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $119,849 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $208,750 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $134,994 |
| 2 | Chapel Hill | $134,858 |
| 3 | Cary | $134,351 |
| 4 | Durham | $133,740 |
| 5 | Asheville | $127,987 |
| 6 | Burlington | $124,017 |
| 7 | Greensboro | $121,768 |
| 8 | High Point | $119,893 |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | $112,932 |
| 10 | Hickory | $111,683 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $110,134 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $109,962 |
| 13 | Apex | $109,703 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $109,504 |
| 15 | Wilmington | $108,967 |
| 16 | Concord | $108,885 |
| 17 | Statesville | $108,061 |
| 18 | Rocky Mount | $108,034 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $107,969 |
| 20 | Fayetteville | $107,734 |
| 21 | Matthews | $107,715 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $107,529 |
| 23 | Sanford | $107,436 |
| 24 | Wake Forest | $107,433 |
| 25 | Morrisville | $107,386 |
| 26 | Charlotte | $107,133 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $107,097 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $107,081 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $106,904 |
| 30 | New Bern | $106,861 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $106,835 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $105,145 |
| 33 | Goldsboro | $104,956 |
| 34 | Gastonia | $104,848 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $104,815 |
| 36 | Monroe | $104,773 |
| 37 | Garner | $104,535 |
| 38 | Wilson | $104,460 |
| 39 | Boone | $104,007 |
| 40 | Indian Trail | $103,107 |
| 41 | Carrboro | $102,704 |
| 42 | Leland | $101,187 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $101,000 |
| 44 | Greenville | $98,530 |
| 45 | Winston | $94,508 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in North Carolina?
How many electrical engineers are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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