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2026 Salary Data — Houston, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Houston: $116K Median

Electrical Engineers in Houston, TX earn between $79K and $184K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Houston, TX is $116,067 per year — +5% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $183,750 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Houston earned approximately $20,363 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$116,067
+470.0% YoY · $9,672/mo
Entry
$78,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$152,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$183,750
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$116K
San Antonio
$103K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$116K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$127K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Houston

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Circuit design
  • PCB layout
  • Embedded systems
  • Power systems analysis
  • Testing and validation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles

In-demand certifications

PE LicenseSix SigmaIEEE membership

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Houston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Apple
Tesla
Intel
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
GE
Lockheed Martin
SpaceX

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Electrical Engineer listings.

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand.

Electrical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,750$116,067$183,750
Monthly$6,563$9,672$15,313
Weekly$1,514$2,232$3,534
Hourly$38$56$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Houston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$89,951.135
Per month$7,496
Biweekly paycheck$3,460
Effective tax rate22.5%

Tax Breakdown on $116,067

Gross salary$116,067
Federal income tax−$17,236.74
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,879.126
Take-home (net)$89,951.135

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience — Houston

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$72,450
2–3 yr$78,750
4–6 yr$115,500
7–10 yr$152,250
11–15 yr$179,655
15+ yr$168,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,363
2026 median:$116,067
Change:+$95,704

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors.

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$120,903
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in Houston

Walk-away anchor: $103,631 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $152K–$184K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Houston, TX?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Houston is $116,067 per year as of April 2026 — $9,672/month, $2,232/week, or about $56/hour. Salaries range from $78,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $183,750 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $116,067 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Houston?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $116,067 a real purchasing power of approximately $120,903 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $116,067 in Houston?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $116,067 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $116,067 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $116,067 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $116,067 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $116,067 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $116,067 each ($232,134 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $116,067 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $116,067 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Electrical Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Houston?
On a $116,067 Electrical Engineer salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $89,951.135 per year ($7,496/month, $3,460 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,236.74, state $0, FICA $8,879.126. Effective tax rate: 22.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $116,067 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $120,903 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Houston?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Houston typically start at around $78,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $152,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $183,750+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Houston grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $20,363 in 2025 to $116,067 in 2026 (+$95,704). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in Houston?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Electrical Engineers are: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Houston?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Houston include: Apple, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, GE. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Electrical Engineer salary in Houston?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in Houston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE License or Six Sigma). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Electrical Engineer in Houston?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Houston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Electrical Engineer salary figures for Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Houston

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$116KPhiladelphia, PA$115KSan Antonio, TX$103KDallas, TX$116KAustin, TX$127KFort Worth, TX$113KCharlotte, NC$113KEl Paso, TX$94K

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