Electrical Engineer Salary in Oak Harbor, WA: $119,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Oak Harbor, WA earns a median $119,106/year (≈ $57.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Oak Harbor's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $110,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the electrical engineer salary in Oak Harbor, WA, is projected to reach a median of $119,106, which is approximately 4.74% lower than the national median of $125,033. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $76,864 at the 10th percentile to as high as $167,821 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the competitive landscape for engineering roles in Oak Harbor. Currently, there are five employed electrical engineers in the area, reflecting a niche job market that may benefit from specialization, particularly in industries that demand security clearance, which often provides a premium for relevant positions.
About the Oak Harbor Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,864 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,041 | $43.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,106 | $57.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,281 | $69.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,821 | $80.68 |
Median Salary Position
4.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Harbor
In Oak Harbor, WA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,957 (2026 est.). At $119,106, the local median is 4.74% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Harbor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Harbor Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Oak Harbor median: $119,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Harbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $126,038 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -4.74% less |
Electrical Engineers in Oak Harbor, WA earn a median of $119,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.74% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.50% below the Washington state average of $126,038.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Harbor has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Harbor, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,106 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,899 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,860
2025 BLS Actual
$114,912
2026 Current Est.
$119,106
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Oak Harbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,051 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Harbor metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $93,860 (2019) to $114,912 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,594 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Harbor 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) | $76,864 – $91,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,041 – $119,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,106 – $145,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,281 – $167,821 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Oak Harbor
Understanding the cost of living is essential when evaluating electrical engineer pay in Oak Harbor, given its index of 107.4, slightly above the national average. This means that while salaries may seem attractive, the purchasing power may be moderated by living expenses. Among local employers, the highest compensation packages typically come from defense contractors and tech companies, reflecting the city's connections to advanced industries. Factors such as the semiconductor industry command higher pay tiers due to the demand for tech-savvy talent, while defense roles may offer substantial benefits and pensions. To maximize earning potential, engineers should consider obtaining security clearances, pursuing advanced degrees like a PhD, or obtaining a professional engineering (PE) license. Additionally, focusing on industries that are rapidly growing, such as automotive and renewable energy, can provide strategic advantages in negotiating salaries in this unique Washington market.
More salary data for Oak Harbor, WA:
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 $114,912 for electrical engineersin the Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor 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