Electrical Engineer Salary in Altoona, PA: $109,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Altoona, PA earns a median $109,112/year (≈ $52.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $121,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those pursuing an electrical engineer salary in Altoona can expect a median annual pay of $109,112, reflecting a competitive compensation structure within the region. The salary range extends from $78,349 at the low end (10th percentile) to $183,346 for the top earners (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that Altoona's pay scale aligns with specific industry demands. Notably, roles in semiconductor and chip design traditionally command higher salaries compared to those in utility power systems or defense-related engineering fields. With a projected growth rate of 3.65%, the employment landscape appears promising for electrical engineers in Altoona.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,349 | $37.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,849 | $42.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,112 | $52.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,520 | $60.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,346 | $88.14 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,997 (2026 est.). At $109,112, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Altoona median: $109,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $108,895 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.73% less |
Electrical Engineers in Altoona, PA earn a median of $109,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $108,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $109,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $121,903 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,550
2025 BLS Actual
$105,270
2026 Current Est.
$109,112
2019–2027 Growth
+9.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,991 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 1.7% from $103,550 (2019) to $105,270 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,545 (9.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $78,349 – $88,849 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,849 – $109,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,112 – $125,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,520 – $183,346 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Altoona
Altoona is home to approximately 50 electrical engineers, which contributes to a dynamic local job market. The cost of living index in Altoona stands at 89.507, lower than the national average, meaning that engineers may find their take-home purchasing power stronger here than in more expensive regions. Employers that offer higher salaries include major tech companies involved in chip and hardware design, as well as leading defense contractors. The pay difference within the local market can be attributed to various factors, including industry specialization, demand for security clearances, and educational qualifications. For aspiring engineers, aiming for positions that require advanced degrees or security clearances may maximize pay potential. Overall, targeting roles within thriving sectors such as semiconductor design is likely the best approach for achieving higher compensation in Altoona, PA.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $105,270 for electrical engineersin the Altoona 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, 3-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