Electrical Engineer Salary

Electrical Engineer Salary in Wisconsin: $103,550 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $103,550/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,867 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Onalaska ($108,069), Beloit ($107,384), Janesville ($107,140).

Electrical Engineer Salary in Wisconsin - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Wisconsin electrical engineer salary overview (2026)
$103,550
Avg Median Salary
$49.78
Avg Hourly Rate
3,209
Metro Employed
46
Cities

For electrical engineers considering opportunities in Wisconsin, the projected average median salary for 2026 is $103,550, which is notably lower than the national median of $125,033, highlighting a difference of 17.2%. The state shows significant variance in salaries among its cities, with Onalaska offering the highest average at $112,014 and Wausau at the lower end with $88,320. This $23,694 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local industry presence, and demand for specialized engineering skills. Regulatory requirements in Wisconsin include state licensing for electrical engineers, which necessitates meeting education and experience standards before one can practice independently. Additionally, the state's economy is supplemented by sectors such as manufacturing and renewable energy, which are key demand drivers for engineering positions. Currently, there are 3,209 employed electrical engineers in the state, with a growth rate projected at 3.65% annually, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals. The top cities with promising salaries include Beloit at $111,304, Janesville at $111,051, La Crosse at $110,532, and Sheboygan at $109,568. Overall, those entering or advancing in the electrical engineering field in Wisconsin can expect a stable job market with region-specific salary arrays influenced by local economic conditions.

Wisconsin Electrical Engineer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$77,468
avg across 46 cities
Median
$103,550
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$141,671
avg across 46 cities

Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $58,998 (lowest entry-level) to $171,012 (highest top earner)

Wisconsin vs National Average

Wisconsin
$103,550
National Median
$125,033

Wisconsin electrical engineers earn 17.18% less than the national median ($-21,483/year difference).

Wisconsin Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Wisconsin electrical engineer salary percentiles: 10th percentile $77,468, 25th $86,822, Median $103,550, 75th $127,108, 90th $141,671. US national median is $125,033.$39.7K$79.3K$119.0K$158.7K$77.5K10thEntry Level$86.8K25thEarly Career$103.5KMedianMid Career$127.1K75thExperienced$141.7K90thTop EarnerUS Median $125.0K

Electrical Engineer salaries in Wisconsin range from $77,468 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $141,671 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,550. The Wisconsin median is $21,483 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $49.78/hr. Approximately 3,209 electrical engineers are employed across 46 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$86,557

2025 BLS Actual

$99,904

2026 Current Est.

$103,550

2019–2027 Growth

+24.0%

Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wisconsin (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electrical engineers in Wisconsin. Baseline $86,557 in 2025, projected to $107,330 by 2027.$82.4K$89.7K$96.9K$104.2K$111.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$86.6K$90.2K$93.1K$96.2K$98.5K$100.0K$99.9K$103.5K$107.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$86,557Actual
2020$90,211Actual
2021$93,052Actual
2022$96,188Actual
2023$98,509Actual
2024$99,975Actual
2025$99,904Actual
2026(current)$103,550Estimated
2027$107,330Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 15.4% from $86,557 (2019) to $99,904 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,330 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,773 (24.00%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin

#1
Onalaska
4 employed · $53.86/hr
$112,014
+8.17% vs avg
#2
Beloit
5 employed · $53.51/hr
$111,304
+7.49% vs avg
#3
Janesville
70 employed · $53.39/hr
$111,051
+7.24% vs avg
#4
La Crosse
70 employed · $53.14/hr
$110,532
+6.74% vs avg
#5
Sheboygan
60 employed · $52.67/hr
$109,568
+5.81% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin

CityMedian Salary
Wausau$88,320
Wisconsin Rapids$95,804
Middleton$96,606
Platteville$97,642
Mequon$97,651

Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Wisconsin

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
La Crosse$110,53291.769$120,446
Onalaska$112,01493.4$119,929
Beloit$111,30493.4$119,169
Janesville$111,05193.703$118,514
Sheboygan$109,56894.014$116,544

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$77,468
Mid Career (3-7 years)$103,550
Experienced (7+ years)$141,671

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 46 Cities in Wisconsin

#CityMedian Salary
1Onalaska$112,014
2Beloit$111,304
3Janesville$111,051
4La Crosse$110,532
5Sheboygan$109,568
6Madison$106,158
7Kenosha$105,402
8Appleton$105,381
9West Allis$104,575
10Oshkosh$104,490
11Green Bay$103,971
12Fitchburg$103,881
13Greenfield$103,873
14Waukesha$103,854
15Eau Claire$103,173
16Menomonee Falls$102,972
17Brookfield$102,730
18West Bend$102,673
19De Pere$102,592
20Milwaukee$102,562
21New Berlin$102,397
22Sun Prairie$101,529
23Caledonia$101,254
24Muskego$101,035
25Racine$100,800
26Mount Pleasant$100,650
27Stevens Point$100,564
28Franklin$100,450
29Oak Creek$100,134
30Superior$99,981
31Manitowoc$99,932
32Pewaukee$99,560
33South Milwaukee$99,269
34Pleasant Prairie$99,253
35Fond du Lac$99,214
36Menomonie$99,152
37Whitewater$99,143
38Wauwatosa$99,056
39Germantown$98,987
40Marshfield$98,947
41River Falls$98,460
42Mequon$97,651
43Platteville$97,642
44Middleton$96,606
45Wisconsin Rapids$95,804
46Wausau$88,320

More Wisconsin Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new electrical engineers.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.

Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electrical engineers make in Wisconsin in 2026?

The average median electrical engineer salary in Wisconsin is $103,550/year across 46 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $88,320 in Wausau to $112,014 in Onalaska. This makes Wisconsin 17.18% below the national median of $125,033. The state employs approximately 3,209 electrical engineers.

What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Wisconsin?

Onalaska offers the highest electrical engineer salary in Wisconsin at $112,014/year ($53.86/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Onalaska ($112,014), Beloit ($111,304), Janesville ($111,051). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for electrical engineering services, and competition among employers for licensed electrical engineers.

How does Wisconsin electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?

Wisconsin's average electrical engineer salary of $103,550 is 17.18% below the national median of $125,033 in 2026. The state employs approximately 3,209 electrical engineers across 46 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Wisconsin?

Entry-level electrical engineers (10th percentile) in Wisconsin earn approximately $77,468/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $58,998 in lower-paying areas to $84,288 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many electrical engineers are employed in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin employs approximately 3,209 electrical engineers across 46 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the electrical engineering field expands and the population ages.

Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for electrical engineers?

When adjusted for cost of living, La Crosse offers the highest purchasing power for electrical engineers in Wisconsin, with an adjusted salary of $120,446 (nominal: $110,532, CoL index: 91.769). This means your dollar goes 9% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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