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2026 Salary Data — Milwaukee, WI
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Milwaukee: $105K Median

Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee, WI earn between $71K and $166K per year.

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

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI is $105,013 per year — -5% below the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $71,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $166,250 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee earned approximately $18,423 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,013
+470.0% YoY · $8,751/mo
Entry
$71,250
0–2 years
Experienced
$137,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$166,250
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Milwaukee vs Nearby
Milwaukee
$105K
Houston
$116K
-10% vs Milwaukee
New Orleans
$102K
+3% vs Milwaukee
Jacksonville
$102K
+3% vs Milwaukee

Free ATS scan · Milwaukee employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee

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

Milwaukee Job Market

Manufacturing and brewing hub with diverse industry base.

Population
590K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$245K

Top Industries in Milwaukee

ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceBrewingTech

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Milwaukee 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 — Milwaukee

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,250$105,013$166,250
Monthly$5,938$8,751$13,854
Weekly$1,370$2,019$3,197
Hourly$34$50$80

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Milwaukee

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$76,398.931
Per month$6,367
Biweekly paycheck$2,938
Effective tax rate27.2%

Tax Breakdown on $105,013

Gross salary$105,013
Federal income tax−$14,804.86
Wisconsin state tax−$5,775.715
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,033.495
Take-home (net)$76,398.931

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 — Milwaukee

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,550
2–3 yr$71,250
4–6 yr$104,500
7–10 yr$137,750
11–15 yr$162,545
15+ yr$152,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Milwaukee's 0.95× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,423
2026 median:$105,013
Change:+$86,590

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
$109,389
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 Milwaukee

Walk-away anchor: $93,762 (offers below this are below market for Milwaukee).

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 $138K–$166K for experienced roles, citing Milwaukee market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Milwaukee

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee is $105,013 per year as of April 2026 — $8,751/month, $2,019/week, or about $50/hour. Salaries range from $71,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $166,250 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $105,013 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee?
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. Milwaukee's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,013 a real purchasing power of approximately $109,389 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 $105,013 in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee specifically (median home price $245,000), a $105,013 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,013 enough for a single person in Milwaukee?
A single adult in Milwaukee typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,013 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,013 enough for a couple in Milwaukee?
A couple (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,013 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,013 each ($210,026 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,013 enough for a family of 4 in Milwaukee?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Milwaukee typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,013 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Milwaukee. Childcare costs in Milwaukee typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Milwaukee?
On a $105,013 Electrical Engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI, you take home approximately $76,398.931 per year ($6,367/month, $2,938 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,804.86, state $5,775.715, FICA $8,033.495. Effective tax rate: 27.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $105,013 in Milwaukee). However, Milwaukee's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $109,389 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Milwaukee?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee typically start at around $71,250 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $137,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $166,250+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Milwaukee increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Milwaukee grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $18,423 in 2025 to $105,013 in 2026 (+$86,590). 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 Milwaukee?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Milwaukee's top industries include Manufacturing, Healthcare, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Milwaukee.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Milwaukee?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Milwaukee's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× — 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 Milwaukee

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$103KJacksonville, FL$102KColumbus, OH$107KIndianapolis, IN$103KDetroit, MI$103KLas Vegas, NV$105KLouisville, KY$101KAlbuquerque, NM$99K

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