Electrical Engineer Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $107,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $107,734/year (≈ $51.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $117,130 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the electrical engineer salary in Fayetteville, NC, is projected to reach a median of $107,734. This figure illustrates a clear contrast to the national average of $125,033, representing a 13.84% dip. The salary range is quite expansive, extending from $67,300 at the 10th percentile to $160,077 at the 90th percentile. These projections stem from BLS surveys and highlight the weighty decisions engineers face when considering the individual contributor versus management career paths. As the job market continues to evolve, understanding these dynamics is essential for navigating salary expectations in Fayetteville's competitive engineering landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,696 | $38.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,734 | $51.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,133 | $62.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,077 | $76.96 |
Median Salary Position
13.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,777 (2026 est.). At $107,734, the local median is 13.84% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $107,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $108,932 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -13.84% less |
Electrical Engineers in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $107,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.84% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $108,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $107,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,130 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,100
2025 BLS Actual
$103,940
2026 Current Est.
$107,734
2019–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 36.6% from $76,100 (2019) to $103,940 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,566 (46.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $67,300 – $79,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,696 – $107,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,734 – $130,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,133 – $160,077 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fayetteville
A total of 90 electrical engineers currently work in Fayetteville, reflecting a stable job market, albeit with salaries slightly below the national average. The cost of living index in this region stands at 91.978, signaling a relatively affordable environment that enhances local take-home pay. Employers such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, which require security clearances, could offer higher salaries due to demand. Prospective EEs should focus on opportunities in semiconductor companies like Intel or tech giants where compensation tends to be higher. Advancing one's credentials, seeking roles that may require security clearance, and weighing the trade-offs of the individual contributor track versus management roles are key strategies for maximizing pay in this market. Understanding these factors can greatly influence how much do electrical engineers make in Fayetteville and guide career trajectories successfully.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Fayetteville, NC in 2026?
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Fayetteville?
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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 $103,940 for electrical engineersin the Fayetteville 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