Electrical Engineer Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $99,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $99,056/year (≈ $47.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $106,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $99,056, which illustrates a notable disparity compared to the national median of $125,033. The local salary range extends from $65,556 at the 10th percentile to $148,267 at the 90th percentile, reflective of various factors such as industry, experience, and educational qualifications. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate that while Wauwatosa presents a steady job market for electrical engineers, the compensation levels are lower than national trends, suggesting that local employers may not be fully tapping into the high-demand sectors like semiconductor and defense work that typically drive higher salaries.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,556 | $31.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,056 | $47.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,323 | $60.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,267 | $71.28 |
Median Salary Position
20.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,711 (2026 est.). At $99,056, the local median is 20.78% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $99,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $104,490 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -20.78% less |
Electrical Engineers in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $99,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.78% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $104,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $99,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,056 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,059
2025 BLS Actual
$95,568
2026 Current Est.
$99,056
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,059 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $78,059 (2019) to $95,568 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,613 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $65,556 – $77,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,200 – $99,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,056 – $125,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,323 – $148,267 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Wauwatosa
With only 10 electrical engineers currently employed in the Wauwatosa area, this job market demonstrates a concentrated but competitive environment. The local cost-of-living index of 93.4 indicates that salaries, while lower than the national average, may stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Employers in Wauwatosa that tend to offer higher compensation include companies involved in utility operations and tech firms; however, the semiconductor industry remains the most lucrative. Those with security clearances, such as engineers working with defense contractors, can also command higher salaries due to the associated clearance premiums. To maximize pay in Wauwatosa, professionals should consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, such as a PE license, and remain open to career tracks that may lead to management roles within their field, as these can influence earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 $95,568 for electrical engineersin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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