Electrical Engineer Salary in Austin, TX: $150,666 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Austin, TX earns a median $150,666/year (≈ $72.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $153,637 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 35.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Electrical engineers in Austin, Texas, are positioned to earn a median annual salary of $150,666 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market that exceeds the national average by approximately 20.50%. With salaries ranging from $84,952 at the lower end to $220,671 at the high end, the career trajectory for electrical engineers in this vibrant tech hub offers significant growth potential. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates the industry's competitive nature and varying compensation based on experience, specialization, and the choice between an individual contributor (IC) and management career track. Austin's reputation as a burgeoning center for semiconductor and technology companies influences these figures, making it an appealing option for electrical engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,952 | $40.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,336 | $54.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,666 | $72.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,435 | $100.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,671 | $106.10 |
Median Salary Position
20.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,719 (2026 est.). At $150,666, the local median is 20.5% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Austin median: $150,666/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $111,357 | +35.30% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +20.50% more |
Electrical Engineers in Austin, TX earn a median of $150,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.50% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 35.30% above the Texas state average of $111,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $150,666 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $153,637 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% 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
$102,020
2025 BLS Actual
$145,360
2026 Current Est.
$150,666
2019–2027 Growth
+53.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $145,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,666 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 42.5% from $102,020 (2019) to $145,360 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $156,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,145 (53.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $84,952 – $114,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,336 – $150,666 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,666 – $209,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,435 – $220,671 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Austin
With over 4,070 electrical engineers currently employed in the Austin area, the local job market shows promising strength. The cost of living index of 98.066 indicates that while Austin is slightly below the national average, housing and daily expenses are manageable for professionals in the engineering sector. Major employers such as Apple, Intel, Nvidia, and Tesla dominate the landscape, often offering higher salaries particularly in chip design and automotive sectors. Candidates with security clearances can also command premiums in industries like defense and aerospace. The disparity in pay often arises from various factors, including the specific industry of employment, graduate education level, and whether engineers choose to pursue management roles or remain in technical positions. For those looking to maximize their electrical engineer pay in Austin, focusing on high-demand sectors like semiconductor technology, acquiring specialized certifications, or gaining security clearances could provide substantial benefits.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Austin, TX in 2026?
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Austin?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $145,360 for electrical engineersin the Austin 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, 7-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