Electrical Engineer Salary in Columbia, TN: $101,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Columbia, TN earns a median $101,228/year (≈ $48.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $110,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electrical engineers in Columbia, TN, can anticipate a median annual salary of $101,228 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $125,033. The salary range for this role spans from $63,212 at the 10th percentile to $153,309 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience, industry, and specialization. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected into 2026, adjusted for regional cost variations. While roles in semiconductor and chip design tend to command the highest compensation, opportunities in defense contracting also offer premium pay due to the nature of security clearance requirements. In contrast, positions in utility power systems may lag in base salary but can provide stability and additional benefits.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,212 | $30.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,228 | $48.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,161 | $62.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,309 | $73.71 |
Median Salary Position
19.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, TN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,097 (2026 est.). At $101,228, the local median is 19.04% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbia Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Columbia median: $101,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $103,823 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -19.04% less |
Electrical Engineers in Columbia, TN earn a median of $101,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.04% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $103,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $101,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,270 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% 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
$79,771
2025 BLS Actual
$97,663
2026 Current Est.
$101,228
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,633 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,301 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,252 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,663 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $79,771 (2019) to $97,663 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,152 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $63,212 – $76,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,100 – $101,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,228 – $129,161 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,161 – $153,309 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Columbia
In Columbia, the local job market comprises only 10 electrical engineers, which underscores the growing demand in a region with a cost-of-living index of 91.8, indicating affordability relative to national averages. This economic backdrop allows engineers to maintain a better purchasing power compared to other areas. Leading employers that tend to offer higher compensation include tech firms engaged in chip design, such as those in collaboration with Apple and Nvidia, as well as defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, known for offering substantial pay plus benefits contingent on security clearance. The variability in electrical engineer pay in Columbia stems from different factors: the semiconductor industry's premium over defense work, the value of advanced degrees, and the appeal of management roles versus individual contributor tracks all play a vital role. For engineers looking to maximize earnings in this market, acquiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license or seeking specialized certifications can enhance career prospects significantly.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Columbia, TN in 2026?
Is Columbia, TN a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Columbia?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Columbia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $97,663 for electrical engineersin the Columbia 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 Columbia 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