Electrical Engineer salary in North Carolina
Electrical Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $110,130 a year ($52.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,490 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $120,630. North Carolina ranks 26th of 49 states for electrical engineers pay. There are 1.4 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,800 | $32.11 |
| 25th percentile | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Median | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| 75th percentile | $148,330 | $71.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $203,490 | $97.83 |
| Average (mean) | $121,380 | $58.36 |
Half of electrical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,235.77 |
| Weekly | $2,117.88 |
| Hourly | $52.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,240 | 1,500 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $129,030 | 1,020 |
| Asheville, NC | $123,480 | 300 |
| Burlington, NC | $119,650 | 30 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $117,480 | 440 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $107,750 | 230 |
| Wilmington, NC | $105,130 | 350 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $104,230 | 60 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $103,940 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $103,360 | 1,770 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,210 | 1,410 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $101,260 | 50 |
| Greenville, NC | $95,060 | 70 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $91,180 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in North Carolina?
The median salary for electrical engineers in North Carolina is $110,130 a year, or $52.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $203,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in North Carolina earn at least $203,490 a year. The top 25% earn $148,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,800 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $79,370 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in North Carolina?
About 7,090 electrical engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.