Electrical Engineer Salary in Madison, WI: $106,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Madison, WI earns a median $106,158/year (≈ $51.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $109,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the 2026 electrical engineer salary is projected to be $106,158, which is notably lower than the national median of $125,033. This salary range spans from $80,702 at the 10th percentile to $161,165 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for talent in various engineering disciplines. Electrical engineers in this city typically engage in sectors like semiconductor and chip design, which often offer higher compensation relative to other fields like utility power systems. Data for these salary projections are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflecting the competitive yet varied job landscape in Madison's engineering sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,702 | $38.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,120 | $45.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,158 | $51.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,180 | $64.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,165 | $77.48 |
Median Salary Position
15.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,463 (2026 est.). At $106,158, the local median is 15.1% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Madison median: $106,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $104,487 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -15.10% less |
Electrical Engineers in Madison, WI earn a median of $106,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.10% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $104,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $106,158 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,100
2025 BLS Actual
$102,420
2026 Current Est.
$106,158
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 12.4% from $91,100 (2019) to $102,420 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,933 (20.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $80,702 – $95,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,120 – $106,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,158 – $133,180 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,180 – $161,165 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Madison
Despite the median salary being less than the national average, the local job market is robust, with approximately 500 electrical engineers employed within Madison and its surrounding areas. The cost-of-living index in the city is about 97.287, meaning that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the relative affordability can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among top employers, tech giants like Intel, Nvidia, and Apple provide the highest pay opportunities, particularly for roles in the semiconductor industry. Conversely, utilities often offer stable but lower compensation. Factors such as Ph.D. versus master's or bachelor's degree expectations, along with the potential for management or individual contributor tracks, create salary disparities, especially for positions requiring security clearances. For those seeking maximum pay, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications and targeting companies in high-paying sectors would be wise strategies in the Madison market.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $102,420 for electrical engineersin the Madison 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