Electrical Engineer Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $109,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $109,195/year (≈ $52.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $114,496 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Cincinnati can expect a median annual salary of $109,195, reflecting a notable difference when compared to the national median of $125,033. Salary ranges span significantly, from $80,432 at the 10th percentile to $165,197 up at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market with varying compensation levels based on experience, specialization, and industry. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Overall, the marketplace for electrical engineering roles in Cincinnati appears robust, particularly for positions that require security clearances, leading to premium opportunities in defense and technology firms.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,432 | $38.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,523 | $44.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,195 | $52.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,750 | $64.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $165,197 | $79.42 |
Median Salary Position
12.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,765 (2026 est.). At $109,195, the local median is 12.67% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cincinnati Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $109,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $103,601 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.67% less |
Electrical Engineers in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $109,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.67% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.40% above the Ohio state average of $103,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $109,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,496 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,480
2025 BLS Actual
$105,350
2026 Current Est.
$109,195
2019–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 19.1% from $88,480 (2019) to $105,350 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,701 (27.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $80,432 – $91,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,523 – $109,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,195 – $133,750 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,750 – $165,197 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Cincinnati
Currently, there are approximately 1,170 electrical engineers employed in Cincinnati, a number that illustrates the local demand for this specialization. The cost of living index in the area is 95.37, which is below the national average of 100, suggesting that residents may benefit from increased purchasing power relative to their salaries. Leading employers include major tech companies like Apple and Nvidia, as well as defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, which tend to offer higher salaries due to the need for security clearances. The disparity in compensation across different sectors stems from various factors, including the semiconductor industry's emphasis on highly technical skills and the potential for equity compensation, while utility roles may provide more stability and benefits but with lower immediate cash compensation. For those in Cincinnati looking to maximize their electrical engineer pay, focusing on the semiconductor field, pursuing advanced credentials like a PE license, and considering the management track could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 $105,350 for electrical engineersin the Cincinnati 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