Electrical Engineer Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $125,521 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Pawtucket, RI earns a median $125,521/year (≈ $60.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Pawtucket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $124,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electrical engineers in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, can expect a median annual salary of $125,521 in 2026, placing the region slightly above the national median of $125,033. The salary range for this profession stretches from $76,898 at the 10th percentile to $194,558 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market influenced by various factors. These local estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, reflecting Pawtucket's position in the electrical engineering field. With the tight integration of technology and engineering roles, professionals with security clearance are particularly valuable, suggesting that positions requiring cleared status may command higher salaries, accentuating the strategic demand for such expertise in the local job market.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,898 | $36.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,588 | $44.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $125,521 | $60.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,290 | $76.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,558 | $93.53 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, RI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,660 (2026 est.). At $125,521, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Pawtucket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pawtucket Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Pawtucket median: $125,521/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pawtucket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $125,647 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | +0.39% more |
Electrical Engineers in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $125,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $125,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pawtucket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pawtucket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $125,521 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,897 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,915
2025 BLS Actual
$121,101
2026 Current Est.
$125,521
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,224 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,812 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,368 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $125,521 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pawtucket metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $98,915 (2019) to $121,101 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,188 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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) | $76,898 – $93,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,588 – $125,521 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $125,521 – $158,290 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,290 – $194,558 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Pawtucket
The local job market for electrical engineers in Pawtucket consists of around 16 professionals, which indicates a relatively small but specialized workforce. The cost of living in the area, reflected in a CoL index of 100.5, means that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power can be influenced by local economic conditions. Companies in sectors such as semiconductor design—think major players like Apple and Nvidia—are likely the highest-paying employers for electrical engineers. On the flip side, opportunities in defense contracting, particularly with firms like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, offer salaries boosted by the security clearance premium. This factor, along with educational qualifications and industry experience, significantly contributes to the variations in pay. To maximize earnings, engineers in Pawtucket should explore certifications like the FE and PE, consider roles in high-demand sectors, and weigh opportunities in management versus individual contributor tracks for optimal financial outcomes.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
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 $121,101 for electrical engineersin the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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