Electrical Engineer Salary in Bend, OR: $131,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Bend, OR earns a median $131,729/year (≈ $63.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $127,143 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
2026 projections for the electrical engineer salary in Bend, OR indicate a median annual pay of $131,729, slightly above the national average of $125,033. The salary range in this region spans from $87,460 at the 10th percentile to $166,566 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust job market for electrical engineers. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights Bend's growing demand for skilled professionals in the field. With its unique economy and diverse industries, Bend offers promising opportunities for electrical engineers looking to advance their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,558 | $53.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,729 | $63.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,293 | $72.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,566 | $80.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,106 (2026 est.). At $131,729, the local median is 5.36% above the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be above the median
How Bend Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Bend median: $131,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $128,641 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +5.36% more |
Electrical Engineers in Bend, OR earn a median of $131,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 2.40% above the Oregon state average of $128,641.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,729 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,143 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,890
2025 BLS Actual
$127,090
2026 Current Est.
$131,729
2019–2027 Growth
+77.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 65.3% from $76,890 (2019) to $127,090 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,647 (77.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $87,460 – $111,558 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,558 – $131,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,729 – $150,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,293 – $166,566 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Bend
In Bend, 110 electrical engineers currently contribute to a local job market that is experiencing a growth rate of 3.65% annually. The cost of living index at 103.607 suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, the take-home purchasing power needs to be considered in relation to local expenses. Major employers in the area, including companies in semiconductor design and defense contracting, tend to offer the highest salaries. Competitive pay in sectors such as automotive, especially with the rise of companies like Tesla, also shapes the overall market. The pay discrepancy among engineers often stems from industry-specific factors, such as the security clearance premium associated with defense roles and the salary potential linked to advanced degrees in semiconductor fields. For those considering how much do electrical engineers make in Bend, securing relevant certifications and pursuing advanced positions could be key strategies for maximizing compensation.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 $127,090 for electrical engineersin the Bend 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