Electrical Engineer Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $132,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $132,392/year (≈ $63.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $129,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Electrical engineers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, command a median annual salary of $132,392 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge over the national average of $125,033. With salaries ranging from $84,350 at the lower end (P10) to $186,974 at the upper echelon (P90), the employment landscape allows professionals to find roles that align with their qualifications and experience. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Notably, the local market shows a strong preference for candidates in semiconductor and chip design over utility power systems and defense roles, where compensation often varies based on demand and specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,432 | $49.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,392 | $63.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,546 | $71.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,974 | $89.89 |
Median Salary Position
5.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,624 (2026 est.). At $132,392, the local median is 5.89% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $132,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $108,965 | +21.50% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +5.89% more |
Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $132,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 21.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $108,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $132,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $129,095 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,930
2025 BLS Actual
$127,730
2026 Current Est.
$132,392
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 25.3% from $101,930 (2019) to $127,730 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,294 (34.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $84,350 – $103,432 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,432 – $132,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,392 – $149,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,546 – $186,974 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, approximately 3,520 electrical engineers are employed, illustrating a robust job market for professionals in this field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 102.554, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national median, purchasing power is affected by local expenses. Top employers like Apple, Intel, and Nvidia within the semiconductor sector offer substantial salaries fueled by the industry's demand for advanced design skills. Additionally, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman reward engineers with security clearances, substantially raising their earnings potential. Factors such as industry specialization, the additional value of degrees (such as a PhD), and the management versus individual contributor track significantly influence pay disparities. Engineers should prioritize gaining relevant experience and certifications, like the PE license, to maximize their salary in this vibrant Philadelphia market.
More salary data for Philadelphia, 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 $127,730 for electrical engineersin the Philadelphia 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