Electrical Engineer Salary in Bellevue, WA: $146,752 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Bellevue, WA earns a median $146,752/year (≈ $70.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $136,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.4% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, the 2026 median annual salary for electrical engineers is projected to reach $146,752, significantly surpassing the national median of $125,033. With a salary range extending from $87,737 at the P10 level to as high as $227,465 at the P90 level, there's considerable variance influenced by industry demands and job roles. These figures, which are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate a robust job market for electrical engineers. Bellevue’s thriving tech environment, driven by major companies and a strong focus on semiconductor and hardware design, has positioned the city as an attractive hub for skilled professionals in the field.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,737 | $42.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,478 | $52.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,752 | $70.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,047 | $89.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,465 | $109.36 |
Median Salary Position
17.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $139,728 (2026 est.). At $146,752, the local median is 17.37% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $146,752/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $126,075 | +16.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +17.37% more |
Electrical Engineers in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $146,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.37% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 16.40% above the Washington state average of $126,075.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $146,752 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $136,641 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,645
2025 BLS Actual
$141,584
2026 Current Est.
$146,752
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,645 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,345 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,267 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,528 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,589 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,752 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,108 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $115,645 (2019) to $141,584 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,463 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $87,737 – $108,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,478 – $146,752 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,752 – $187,047 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,047 – $227,465 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Bellevue
Currently employing 26 electrical engineers, Bellevue’s local job market reflects positive growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%. However, the cost of living index stands slightly above the national average at 107.4, meaning higher salaries are essential for maintaining purchasing power. Top employers in the area include tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and AMD, offering competitive pay and often additional equity through RSUs. Defense companies also participate with strong compensation packages, particularly for roles requiring security clearances. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors like clearance requirements, educational background, and industry specialization. For those looking to strengthen their position in this competitive market, acquiring advanced degrees or certifications, such as a PE license in power systems, can enhance earning potential while considering the balance between technical roles and management tracks.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Bellevue?
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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 $141,584 for electrical engineersin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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