2026 Salary — North Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Electrical Engineer Salary in North Carolina: $107K Median
Electrical Engineers in North Carolina earn between $73K and $170K per year.
That's -3% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in North Carolina is $107,224 per year — -3% below the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $72,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $169,750 (90th percentile). North Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$107,224
+470.0% YoY
Entry
$72,750
Experienced
$140,650
Top 10%
$169,750
About Electrical Engineers in North Carolina
Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.
Hot 2026 Skills
Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems
ATS Keywords
PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $95,736.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — North Carolina
What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in North Carolina?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in North Carolina is $107,224 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $72,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $169,750 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Electrical Engineer pay in North Carolina compare to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in North Carolina earn approximately 3% less than the US national median ($110,540 nationally vs $107,224 in North Carolina). North Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in North Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in North Carolina grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $18,811 in 2025 to $107,224 in 2026. This reflects the broader Engineering sector's wage growth, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
Which North Carolina cities pay Electrical Engineers the most?
Top-paying North Carolina metros for Electrical Engineers: Charlotte ($113K), Raleigh ($116K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in North Carolina?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. North Carolina's top industries include Finance/Banking, Tech (Research Triangle), Pharmaceuticals, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does North Carolina have state income tax?
Yes, North Carolina has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $107,224, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with North Carolina employers.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in North Carolina?
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. Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for North Carolina: $95,736.
Methodology
North Carolina Electrical Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($110,540) adjusted by North Carolina's state multiplier (0.97×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Electrical Engineer Salary in Other States
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