Electrical Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania: $120,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $120,720/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $123,943 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($127,730), Johnstown ($118,480), Bethlehem ($114,216).
In Pennsylvania, the average median salary for electrical engineers in 2026 is projected at $120,720, which falls about 3.4% lower than the national median of $125,033. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Philadelphia offering the highest average at $132,392, while State College has the lowest at $101,007. This $31,385 disparity is largely influenced by the cost of living, local demand for engineers, and the concentration of industries in different regions. Within Pennsylvania, there are essential factors to consider, such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job responsibilities and potential earnings. The state's job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.65%, indicating a steady demand for electrical engineers. This growth is fueled by ongoing advancements in technology, renewable energy initiatives, and infrastructure development. Other notable cities with strong salary averages include Johnstown at $122,805, Bethlehem at $118,385, Allentown at $115,570, and Easton at $113,587. As you navigate your career, it is crucial to consider these regional differences and factors affecting job availability in Pennsylvania's electrical engineering sector.
Pennsylvania Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $64,704 (lowest entry-level) to $194,883 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania electrical engineers earn 3.45% less than the national median ($-4,313/year difference).
Pennsylvania Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Pennsylvania range from $81,722 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $177,215 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $120,720. The Pennsylvania median is $4,313 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $58.04/hr. Approximately 7,225 electrical engineers are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$97,072
2025 BLS Actual
$116,469
2026 Current Est.
$120,720
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,072 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,206 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,232 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,241 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,126 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 20.0% from $97,072 (2019) to $116,469 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,126 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,054 (28.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| State College | $101,007 |
| Williamsport | $101,463 |
| West Chester | $101,986 |
| Pottstown | $102,740 |
| New Castle | $104,223 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | $122,805 | 85.929 | $142,914 |
| Philadelphia | $132,392 | 102.554 | $129,095 |
| Erie | $113,248 | 90.95 | $124,517 |
| Altoona | $109,112 | 89.507 | $121,903 |
| Bethlehem | $118,385 | 97.4 | $121,545 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $81,722 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $120,720 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $177,215 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $132,392 |
| 2 | Johnstown | $122,805 |
| 3 | Bethlehem | $118,385 |
| 4 | Allentown | $115,570 |
| 5 | Easton | $113,587 |
| 6 | Erie | $113,248 |
| 7 | York | $111,413 |
| 8 | Altoona | $109,112 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $109,050 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | $108,822 |
| 11 | Chambersburg | $107,848 |
| 12 | Harrisburg | $107,527 |
| 13 | Scranton | $107,423 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $107,330 |
| 15 | Wilkes-Barre | $107,202 |
| 16 | Reading | $106,241 |
| 17 | Hazleton | $105,715 |
| 18 | Norristown | $105,512 |
| 19 | Chester | $105,267 |
| 20 | New Castle | $104,223 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $102,740 |
| 22 | West Chester | $101,986 |
| 23 | Williamsport | $101,463 |
| 24 | State College | $101,007 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Pennsylvania?
How many electrical engineers are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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