Electrical Engineer Salary in Matthews, NC: $107,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Matthews, NC earns a median $107,715/year (≈ $51.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $115,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Matthews, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $107,715, which is notably lower than the national median of $125,033. Local pay ranges between $69,367 at the 10th percentile and $155,962 at the 90th percentile, allowing for substantial earnings potential depending on experience and skill level. These figures, which take into account regional cost adjustments based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect the city's unique job market dynamics. Factors such as the decision between individual contributor and management pathways significantly influence total compensation, emphasizing the importance of career trajectories in this field.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,367 | $33.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,867 | $39.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,715 | $51.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,744 | $63.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,962 | $74.98 |
Median Salary Position
13.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,595 (2026 est.). At $107,715, the local median is 13.85% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Matthews median: $107,715/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $108,913 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -13.85% less |
Electrical Engineers in Matthews, NC earn a median of $107,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.85% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $108,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $107,715 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,080 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
$84,883
2025 BLS Actual
$103,922
2026 Current Est.
$107,715
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,883 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,511 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,137 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,926 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,647 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $84,883 (2019) to $103,922 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,647 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,764 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $69,367 – $82,867 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,867 – $107,715 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,715 – $132,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,744 – $155,962 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Matthews
The job market for electrical engineers in Matthews is relatively small, with only eight professionals currently employed in this role. The cost of living in Matthews, indexed at 93.6, offers a more affordable environment compared to the national average, positively impacting purchasing power. Employers in the area, like Duke Energy and various tech firms, provide varying pay scales based on industry—those engaged in semiconductor design generally offer the highest salaries. The disparity between lower and higher pay can often be attributed to factors such as security clearance requirements and educational qualifications, with PhD holders generally commanding more substantial compensation. For those looking to bolster their earnings, aligning toward industries with stronger financial backing, like semiconductor and tech, and obtaining relevant credentials or security clearances can present significant opportunities for growth in the Matthews market.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Matthews, NC in 2026?
Is Matthews, NC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Matthews?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Matthews?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Matthews?
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 $103,922 for electrical engineersin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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