Electrical Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $102,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $102,562/year (≈ $49.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $105,803 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, electrical engineers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,562 in 2026, which reflects some challenges in the local market when compared to the national median of $125,033. Salaries in the region span a range from $80,712 at the low end to $137,844 for the highest earners, demonstrating a robust variation based on experience, specialization, and industry within the field. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, and while Milwaukee presents a competitive salary landscape, it still lags behind the national standard by approximately 17.97%. The local job market is shaped by the presence of various employers, particularly in high-demand sectors, which heavily influences both pay and job availability for electrical engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,712 | $38.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,983 | $41.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,562 | $49.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,547 | $61.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,844 | $66.27 |
Median Salary Position
17.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,132 (2026 est.). At $102,562, the local median is 17.97% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $102,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $104,442 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -17.97% less |
Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $102,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.97% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $104,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $102,562 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,803 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,610
2025 BLS Actual
$98,950
2026 Current Est.
$102,562
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 15.6% from $85,610 (2019) to $98,950 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,695 (24.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $80,712 – $86,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,983 – $102,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,562 – $128,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,547 – $137,844 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Milwaukee
Looking deeper into the local job market, Milwaukee is home to about 1,380 electrical engineers, indicating a relatively stable employment base in this field. The cost of living index stands at 96.937, meaning that engineers will find their take-home pay to stretch further than in many other urban areas with higher living costs. Major employers, such as defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, typically offer higher compensation due to the security clearance premium attached to cleared work, while tech giants like Apple and Nvidia lead the pack in compensation within semiconductor and chip design roles. The variance in salaries can often be attributed to specific industries, as those in semiconductor design or defense roles tend to earn more than those working in utilities or consumer electronics. To maximize pay in Milwaukee, engineers should consider obtaining security clearances, pursuing advanced degrees when applicable, and strategically navigating potential roles in high-paying industries.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 $98,950 for electrical engineersin the Milwaukee 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