Electrical Engineer salary in Wilmington, NC
Electrical Engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $105,130 a year ($50.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,460 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $110,130. There are 1.8 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $127,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| 25th percentile | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Median | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| 75th percentile | $174,250 | $83.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $209,460 | $100.70 |
| Average (mean) | $127,570 | $61.33 |
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 | $8,760.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,380.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,043.46 |
| Weekly | $2,021.73 |
| Hourly | $50.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Electrical Engineer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,710 | $62.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $92,650 | $44.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Surveyor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,440 | $42.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $105,130 a year, or $50.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $209,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $209,460 a year. The top 25% earn $174,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,890 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $73,890 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Wilmington, NC?
About 350 electrical engineers are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.