Electrical Engineer Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $107,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $107,202/year (≈ $51.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $110,064 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electrical engineers in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual compensation of $107,202 in 2026, which reflects a slightly lower figure compared to the national median salary of $125,033. The local salary range shows significant variance, with the lower 10th percentile earning about $68,230 and the upper 90th percentile making as much as $158,064. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, vary significantly across different roles and industries, indicating that the market is influenced by both the choice between technical and management career tracks. As local employers seek expertise, those with specialized skills in high-demand sectors such as semiconductors or cleared defense roles may see greater income potential in Wilkes-Barre's job market.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,230 | $32.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,876 | $39.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,202 | $51.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,844 | $64.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,064 | $76.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,834 (2026 est.). At $107,202, the local median is 14.26% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $107,202/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $108,945 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -14.26% less |
Electrical Engineers in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $107,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $108,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $107,202 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,064 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% 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
$84,479
2025 BLS Actual
$103,427
2026 Current Est.
$107,202
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,099 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,698 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,427 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $84,479 (2019) to $103,427 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,636 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $68,230 – $81,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,876 – $107,202 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,202 – $133,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,844 – $158,064 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
In terms of the local job market, there are currently 11 electrical engineers employed in Wilkes-Barre, allowing for a small but specialized employment pool. Given the region's cost-of-living index of 97.4, engineers may find that their salary stretches further here than in other areas, contributing to a more favorable quality of life. For those considering careers in the area, tech firms like Apple or Intel typically offer the most lucrative salaries, especially for roles in chip design and the semiconductor industry. The spread in electrical engineer pay in Wilkes-Barre reflects various factors, such as the tier of education—PhD versus bachelor's—industry specialization, and the trade-off between individual contributor and management tracks. To maximize earning potential, engineers should consider gaining credentials like the PE license, exploring opportunities in fast-growing sectors, and leveraging their positions for further advancement, all while remaining aware of regional salary norms.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 2026?
Is Wilkes-Barre, PA a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Wilkes-Barre?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Wilkes-Barre?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Wilkes-Barre?
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 $103,427 for electrical engineersin the Wilkes-Barre 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
Salary data for Wilkes-Barre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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