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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Philadelphia: $115K Median

Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia, PA earn between $78K and $182K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA is $114,962 per year — +4% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $182,000 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia earned approximately $20,169 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$114,962
+470.0% YoY · $9,580/mo
Entry
$78,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$150,800
5+ years
Top 10%
$182,000
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$115K
Las Vegas
$105K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$122K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$116K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia

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

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Philadelphia 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 — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,000$114,962$182,000
Monthly$6,500$9,580$15,167
Weekly$1,500$2,211$3,500
Hourly$38$55$88

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$81,333.359
Per month$6,778
Biweekly paycheck$3,128
Effective tax rate29.3%

Tax Breakdown on $114,962

Gross salary$114,962
Federal income tax−$16,993.64
Pennsylvania state tax−$3,529.333
Philadelphia local tax−$4,311.075
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,794.593
Take-home (net)$81,333.359

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 — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$71,760
2–3 yr$78,000
4–6 yr$114,400
7–10 yr$150,800
11–15 yr$177,944
15+ yr$166,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,169
2026 median:$114,962
Change:+$94,793

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
$105,470
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 Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $102,645 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

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 $151K–$182K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Philadelphia is $114,962 per year as of April 2026 — $9,580/month, $2,211/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $182,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $114,962 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $114,962 a real purchasing power of approximately $105,470 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 $114,962 in Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $114,962 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $114,962 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $114,962 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $114,962 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $114,962 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $114,962 each ($229,924 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $114,962 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $114,962 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 Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Philadelphia?
On a $114,962 Electrical Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $81,333.359 per year ($6,778/month, $3,128 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $16,993.64, state $3,529.333, local $4,311.075, FICA $8,794.593. Effective tax rate: 29.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $114,962 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $105,470 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia typically start at around $78,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $150,800 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $182,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $20,169 in 2025 to $114,962 in 2026 (+$94,793). 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 Philadelphia?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — 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 Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — 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 Philadelphia

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$116KHouston, TX$116KPhoenix, AZ$111KDallas, TX$116KFort Worth, TX$113KCharlotte, NC$113KNashville, TN$111KSacramento, CA$119K

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