Electrical Engineer Salary in Apex, NC: $109,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Apex, NC earns a median $109,703/year (≈ $52.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $117,204 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the electrical engineer salary in Apex, North Carolina, is projected to reach $109,703 annually, reflecting the competitive nature of this profession in the rapidly evolving telecommunications and semiconductor sectors. The salary range is broad, from $68,598 for entry-level positions (P10) to an impressive $163,279 for those at the higher end of the scale (P90). Local estimates of these figures are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for the regional cost of living, which currently stands at a reliable 93.6 on the index. This indicates a generally lower living cost compared to the national average, which can enhance the real-value earnings of electrical engineers in Apex. The combination of strong industry demand, particularly in fields like chip design and defense contracting, makes this area a noteworthy region for engineers seeking to build their careers.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,598 | $32.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,017 | $41.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,703 | $52.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,984 | $65.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,279 | $78.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,681 (2026 est.). At $109,703, the local median is 12.26% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Apex median: $109,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $108,941 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.26% less |
Electrical Engineers in Apex, NC earn a median of $109,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $108,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $109,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,204 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,450
2025 BLS Actual
$105,840
2026 Current Est.
$109,703
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,652 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $86,450 (2019) to $105,840 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,257 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $68,598 – $87,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,017 – $109,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,703 – $136,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,984 – $163,279 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Apex
There are currently 16 electrical engineers employed in Apex, illustrating a niche yet solid job market for this specialization. While the cost of living is lower than the national average, individuals seeking positions here should understand that employers such as tech giants and defense contractors tend to set the higher compensation standards. Companies like Apple, Intel, and Lockheed Martin frequently offer salaries that surpass local averages, driven by industry demand and the complexities of security clearance roles, especially for positions requiring TS/SCI clearance. Variations in pay can be substantial, with industry sectors like semiconductor design commanding a premium surpassing those in utility power systems or traditional tech roles. To maximize their pay in this market, electrical engineers should consider obtaining advanced degrees, such as a master’s or even a PhD, which significantly enhance earning potential. Moreover, those interested in management track roles should be strategic in their long-term career planning, as this pathway may yield higher returns compared to individual contributor tracks.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Apex, NC in 2026?
Is Apex, NC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Apex?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Apex?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Apex?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $105,840 for electrical engineersin the Apex 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 Apex 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