Electrical Engineer Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $103,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $103,173/year (≈ $49.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $111,183 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, WI, the electrical engineer salary landscape positions professionals well within a competitive framework, particularly in specialized sectors like semiconductor/chip design and defense contracts. The projected median annual pay for 2026 stands at $103,173, significantly lower than the national average at $125,033. Pay scales range from $76,784 at the lower end to $130,806 for the highest earners. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a market where demand exists across various sectors, influenced by the nuances of local industry needs and the ongoing evolution of technology in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,784 | $36.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,915 | $39.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,173 | $49.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,814 | $56.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,806 | $62.88 |
Median Salary Position
17.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,022 (2026 est.). At $103,173, the local median is 17.48% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $103,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $104,532 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -17.48% less |
Electrical Engineers in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $103,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.48% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $104,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $103,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,183 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,230
2025 BLS Actual
$99,540
2026 Current Est.
$103,173
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 19.6% from $83,230 (2019) to $99,540 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,709 (28.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $76,784 – $81,915 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,915 – $103,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,173 – $116,814 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,814 – $130,806 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Eau Claire
The job market for electrical engineers in Eau Claire employs approximately 70 professionals, showcasing a steady demand amid a reasonable cost of living index at 92.796. This factor impacts the effective purchasing power of salaries locally, meaning that while the pay structures may seem lower than national averages, living expenses are also reduced. Employers in the area, such as defense contractors and firms involved in semiconductor manufacturing, tend to offer competitive salaries, particularly for roles requiring security clearances or advanced degrees. The variation in pay often depends on industry focus, such as whether one is engaged in high-paying semiconductor roles against utility positions that offer stability but typically lag in higher cash compensation. For those aspiring to maximize their electrical engineer pay in Eau Claire, pursuing certifications such as a PE license, gaining advanced technical skills, and considering opportunities within the more lucrative tech sector can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $99,540 for electrical engineersin the Eau Claire 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