Electrical Engineer Salary in Watertown, SD: $111,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Watertown, SD earns a median $111,569/year (≈ $53.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $120,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $111,569 in 2026, Watertown, South Dakota, offers a competitive compensation package for electrical engineers, particularly when juxtaposed with the national average of $125,033. The local salary range is broad, stretching from $75,357 at the 10th percentile to $161,177 at the 90th percentile, allowing for a variety of earning potential based on experience and expertise. Notably, sectors such as semiconductor and chip design continue to drive higher wages, while roles in defense and power systems, although solid, typically earn less. Estimations derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price parities highlight Watertown's specific position in the job market, suggesting promising opportunities for skillful electrical engineers.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,357 | $36.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,721 | $42.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,569 | $53.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,216 | $66.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,177 | $77.49 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,820 (2026 est.). At $111,569, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Watertown median: $111,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $115,976 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -10.77% less |
Electrical Engineers in Watertown, SD earn a median of $111,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $115,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $111,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,920
2025 BLS Actual
$107,640
2026 Current Est.
$111,569
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,606 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,093 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $87,920 (2019) to $107,640 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,721 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $75,357 – $87,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,721 – $111,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,569 – $138,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,216 – $161,177 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Watertown
In Watertown, only six electrical engineers are currently employed, indicating a relatively small job market that may affect competition and opportunities for advancement. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, the area is more affordable than many parts of the country, allowing for potentially higher purchasing power. Companies in the region, especially those involved in the semiconductor industry like Intel or defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, tend to offer the most lucrative salaries. Factors such as certification levels, industry experience, and whether an engineer is on the management or individual contributor track can significantly influence pay. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings in Watertown, focusing on securing roles in high-demand industries like chip design or obtaining relevant security clearances could be beneficial. Understanding local market dynamics can lead to better negotiation and career choices for engineers seeking to elevate their financial prospects.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
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 $107,640 for electrical engineersin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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