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2026 Salary Data — Tucson, AZ
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Tucson: $99K Median

Electrical Engineers in Tucson, AZ earn between $68K and $158K per year.

That's -10% below the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ is $99,486 per year — -10% below the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $157,500 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Tucson earned approximately $17,454 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$99,486
+470.0% YoY · $8,291/mo
Entry
$67,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$130,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$157,500
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Tucson vs Nearby
Tucson
$99K
Phoenix
$111K
-10% vs Tucson
Mesa
$108K
-8% vs Tucson
Jacksonville
$102K
-2% vs Tucson

Free ATS scan · Tucson employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Tucson

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

Tucson Job Market

Defense and aerospace hub adjacent to major military bases.

Population
542K
Cost of Living
95
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$325K

Top Industries in Tucson

HealthcareDefenseAerospaceTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Tucson 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 — Tucson

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$67,500$99,486$157,500
Monthly$5,625$8,291$13,125
Weekly$1,298$1,913$3,029
Hourly$32$48$76

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Tucson

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$75,799.251
Per month$6,317
Biweekly paycheck$2,915
Effective tax rate23.8%

Tax Breakdown on $99,486

Gross salary$99,486
Federal income tax−$13,588.92
Arizona state tax−$2,487.15
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,610.679
Take-home (net)$75,799.251

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 — Tucson

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Tucson.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,100
2–3 yr$67,500
4–6 yr$99,000
7–10 yr$130,500
11–15 yr$153,990
15+ yr$144,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Tucson's 0.90× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,454
2026 median:$99,486
Change:+$82,032

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
$104,722
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 Tucson

Walk-away anchor: $88,827 (offers below this are below market for Tucson).

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 $131K–$158K for experienced roles, citing Tucson market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Tucson

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Tucson is $99,486 per year as of April 2026 — $8,291/month, $1,913/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $67,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $157,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×).
Is $99,486 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Tucson?
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. Tucson's cost-of-living index is 95 (vs 100 nationally), giving $99,486 a real purchasing power of approximately $104,722 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 $99,486 in Tucson?
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 Tucson specifically (median home price $325,000), a $99,486 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $99,486 enough for a single person in Tucson?
A single adult in Tucson typically needs ~$42,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $99,486 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $99,486 enough for a couple in Tucson?
A couple (one earner) in Tucson typically needs ~$68,400 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $99,486 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $99,486 each ($198,972 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $99,486 enough for a family of 4 in Tucson?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Tucson typically needs ~$104,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $99,486 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 Tucson. Childcare costs in Tucson typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Tucson?
On a $99,486 Electrical Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ, you take home approximately $75,799.251 per year ($6,317/month, $2,915 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,588.92, state $2,487.15, FICA $7,610.679. Effective tax rate: 23.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Tucson earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Tucson earn approximately 10% less than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $99,486 in Tucson). However, Tucson's cost-of-living index of 95 means real purchasing power is approximately $104,722 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Tucson?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Tucson typically start at around $67,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $130,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $157,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Tucson increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Tucson grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $17,454 in 2025 to $99,486 in 2026 (+$82,032). 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 Tucson?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Tucson's top industries include Healthcare, Defense, Aerospace, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — 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 Tucson.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Tucson?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Tucson 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 Tucson?
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 Tucson?
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 Tucson?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Tucson'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 Tucson are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Tucson's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.90× — 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 Tucson

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$111KSan Antonio, TX$103KJacksonville, FL$102KIndianapolis, IN$103KDetroit, MI$103KMemphis, TN$97KOklahoma City, OK$97KLas Vegas, NV$105K

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