Electrical Engineer Salary in Johnson City, TN: $101,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Johnson City, TN earns a median $101,784/year (≈ $48.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $115,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, TN, electrical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $101,784 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale in a city that traditionally balances lower living costs with local industry demands. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates indicate a salary range from $78,722 to $248,563, pointing to significant variance based on experience and sector. While the city's offerings may be lower than the national median of $125,033, the local market presents opportunities, particularly in semiconductor and chip design roles, which are known to command premium pay. Electrical engineers engaged in this niche or those with security clearances for defense-related positions are likely to see the highest compensation compared to their peers in utility power systems.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,722 | $37.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,848 | $40.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,784 | $48.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $142,830 | $68.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $248,563 | $119.50 |
Median Salary Position
18.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $169,841 (2026 est.). At $101,784, the local median is 18.59% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Johnson City Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $101,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $103,862 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -18.59% less |
Electrical Engineers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $101,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.59% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 2.00% below the Tennessee state average of $103,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $101,784 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $115,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,209
2025 BLS Actual
$98,200
2026 Current Est.
$101,784
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,209 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $80,209 (2019) to $98,200 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,290 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $78,722 – $84,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,848 – $101,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,784 – $142,830 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $142,830 – $248,563 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Johnson City
Examining the local employment landscape reveals a modest pool, with 60 electrical engineers currently working in the area. The cost of living index in Johnson City stands at 87.928, suggesting that although salaries may lag the national average, the housing and day-to-day expenses allow for a decent standard of living. Employers such as defense contractors and tech firms can offer robust salaries, with companies like Lockheed Martin and Intel often providing the most financially rewarding positions. The disparity in pay reflects varying demands across sectors—the semiconductor industry generally tops the scale, followed by defense and tech positions, while utility roles typically offer stability over high pay. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Johnson City, pursuing advanced degrees, acquiring relevant security clearances, and opting for roles in high-demand sectors like chip design will be key strategies.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 $98,200 for electrical engineersin the Johnson City 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, 5-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