Electrical Engineer Salary in Winston, NC: $94,508 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Winston, NC earns a median $94,508/year (≈ $45.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $102,678 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, electrical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $94,508 in 2026, a figure that fluctuates based on specialization within the field. The salary range spans from $29,996 at the lower end to $159,932 at the high end, showcasing the significant salary growth potential for those in more lucrative sectors. This data is derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which highlights the central role of the semiconductor and chip design sectors in driving up local compensation. Meanwhile, other sectors, such as utility power systems, traditionally lag behind, reflecting varied pay structures within the electrical engineering discipline. As Winston's job market continues to evolve, focused skill development in high-demand technology sectors remains key to enhancing salary prospects.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,996 | $14.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,106 | $38.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,508 | $45.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,981 | $60.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,932 | $76.90 |
Median Salary Position
24.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,936 (2026 est.). At $94,508, the local median is 24.41% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be above the median
How Winston Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Winston median: $94,508/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $109,006 | -13.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -24.41% less |
Electrical Engineers in Winston, NC earn a median of $94,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.41% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 13.30% below the North Carolina state average of $109,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $94,508 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,678 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% 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
$84,330
2025 BLS Actual
$91,180
2026 Current Est.
$94,508
2019–2027 Growth
+16.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,508 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 8.1% from $84,330 (2019) to $91,180 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,628 (16.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $29,996 – $81,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,106 – $94,508 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,508 – $124,981 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,981 – $159,932 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Winston
Winston has approximately 210 electrical engineers currently employed in the area, presenting a concentrated job market. The local cost of living index stands at 92.043, which is below the national average, allowing many engineers to stretch their salaries further. Among the top employers, tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, along with defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, typically offer the most competitive salaries for electrical engineers. It's crucial for aspiring engineers to recognize that the pay disparity is driven by several factors, including industry specialization, the added value of security clearances, and academic credentials. Those who possess a PhD, specialized skills, or a PE license in power systems can command higher salaries. To maximize earnings in Winston, electrical engineers should focus on upskilling, pursuing roles in high-paying industries, and considering potential equity options offered by technology firms.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Winston, NC in 2026?
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Winston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Winston?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Winston?
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 $91,180 for electrical engineersin the Winston 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