Electrical Engineer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $108,967 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $108,967/year (≈ $52.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $113,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, electrical engineers earn a competitive median annual salary of $108,967, reflecting the city's growing significance in various sectors like semiconductor design, defense, and utility power systems. The salary range for these professionals spans from $76,587 at the 10th percentile to $217,105 at the 90th percentile, with a robust job market specifically focusing on electrical engineering capabilities. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights Wilmington's appeal, particularly for engineers engaged in semiconductor chip design, where salaries tend to be higher compared to those in more traditional sectors like utilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,587 | $36.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,587 | $36.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,967 | $52.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $180,610 | $86.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,105 | $104.38 |
Median Salary Position
12.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,518 (2026 est.). At $108,967, the local median is 12.85% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $108,967/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.85% less |
Electrical Engineers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $108,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.85% lower than the national median of $125,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $108,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,011 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,910
2025 BLS Actual
$105,130
2026 Current Est.
$108,967
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,967 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,945 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 4.2% from $100,910 (2019) to $105,130 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,945 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,035 (11.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $76,587 – $76,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,587 – $108,967 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,967 – $180,610 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $180,610 – $217,105 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Wilmington
With 350 electrical engineers currently employed in Wilmington, the local market demonstrates a strong demand for talent, supported by a cost-of-living index of 96.422, which is slightly below the national average. This index suggests that while take-home pay may not match national levels, it remains relatively competitive when adjusted for living costs. Employers vary in their compensation, with the highest salaries typically offered by tech giants such as Apple and Nvidia, as well as defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, known for paying a premium for security clearances. The disparity in pay is influenced by the specific sector—semiconductor roles generally command higher wages compared to those in utility and power systems, which provide stability and pension benefits. For professionals in Wilmington looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on industries with strong growth potential, obtaining relevant certifications, and considering advanced degrees can prove advantageous in shaping their career trajectories.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
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 $105,130 for electrical engineersin the Wilmington 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