Electrical Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $108,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $108,822/year (≈ $52.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $114,948 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $108,822, reflecting a notable position in the job market despite being 12.97% below the national median of $125,033. Salary ranges for these professionals vary significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $80,971 and the top 90% making up to $163,145. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests a competitive landscape for electrical engineer pay in Pittsburgh, driven by the presence of both defense contractors and technology companies that may offer roles requiring security clearance, which often comes with a salary premium.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,971 | $38.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,662 | $42.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,822 | $52.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,362 | $65.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,145 | $78.44 |
Median Salary Position
12.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,174 (2026 est.). At $108,822, the local median is 12.97% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $108,822/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $108,931 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.97% less |
Electrical Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $108,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $108,931.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $108,822 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,948 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$96,910
2025 BLS Actual
$104,990
2026 Current Est.
$108,822
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,794 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 8.3% from $96,910 (2019) to $104,990 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,884 (16.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $80,971 – $88,662 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,662 – $108,822 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,822 – $136,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,362 – $163,145 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Pittsburgh
With approximately 1,630 electrical engineers currently employed in the Pittsburgh area, the local job market remains robust, bolstered by various industries. The cost of living in Pittsburgh, with an index of 94.671, is below the national average, enhancing the real purchasing power of local salaries. High-paying opportunities often emerge from sectors such as semiconductor and chip design, where firms like Apple and Nvidia operate, or defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman that require security clearance. The spread in compensation can be attributed to factors like industry choice, security clearance status, and educational qualifications, with positions demanding a PhD typically rewarding higher salaries. To maximize earnings in this market, engineers should consider pursuing advanced credentials and exploring roles in high-paying sectors, all while weighing the benefits of staying in the individual contributor (IC) track versus moving into management.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Pittsburgh, PA in 2026?
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Pittsburgh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Pittsburgh?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Pittsburgh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $104,990 for electrical engineersin the Pittsburgh 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