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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Design Engineer I in Tennessee is $76,540 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, an Electrical Design Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Electrical Design Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,650 | $6,971 | $1,609 | $40 |
| Average | $76,540 | $6,378 | $1,472 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,410 | $5,784 | $1,335 | $33 |
Futures Consulting - Chattanooga, TN
Cross Technologies Inc. - Knoxville, TN
Athari - Soddy-Daisy, TN
Institutional Casework INC - Union City, TN
An Electrical Design Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Design Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Design Engineer I | 0-2 years | $76,539 |
| EE II | 2-4 years | $92,776 |
| EE III | 4-7 years | $112,848 |
| EE IV | 7+ years | $134,368 |
| EE V | 7-10 years | $155,877 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Electrical Design Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Electrical Design Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $85,682. While startup companies pay approximate $72,485.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $72,485 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $76,662 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $82,741 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $85,682 |
For Electrical Design Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Design Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Design Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $91,848 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $91,848 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $88,021 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $88,021 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $84,194 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Electrical Design Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,650 | $6,971 | $1,609 | $40 |
| Average | $76,540 | $6,378 | $1,472 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,410 | $5,784 | $1,335 | $33 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electrical Design Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Signal Processing Engineer II | $93,000 | 22% |
| EE II | $92,800 | 21% |
| Electronics Design Engineer II | $93,000 | 22% |
| RF Engineer II | $92,990 | 21% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Electrical Design Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
M Force Recruiting Partners
Decatur, TN
M Force Recruiting Partners | Decatur, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Design Engineer (SolidWorks). Location. Decatur, TN. Pay. $35.00–$40.00/hour. Job Type. 6-Month Contract. Work Environmen... more
11 Days Ago
Jobot
Knoxville, TN
Jobot | Knoxville, TN
Electrical Engineer - Power Distribution and Design. This Jobot Job is hosted by: Sean Copeland. Are you a fit. Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply" butt... more
13 Days Ago
Spectra Tech, Inc.
Oak Ridge, TN
Spectra Tech, Inc. | Oak Ridge, TN
Spectra Tech has an immediate need for an Electrical Engineer in Oak Ridge, TN.We are looking for an Electrical Engineer to support design for a new nuclea... more
10 Days Ago
Jobot
Knoxville, TN
Jobot | Knoxville, TN
Revenue Cycle Analyst (Tableau) - 100% Remote / Fortune 500 / Great Benefits. This Jobot Job is hosted by: Joseph Sipocz. Are you a fit. Easy Apply now by ... more
13 Days Ago
Apex Structural Engineering
Brentwood, TN
Apex Structural Engineering | Brentwood, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Location. Nashville, TN. About Us. At Apex Structural Engineering, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and in... more
8 Days Ago
Automation IG
Chattanooga, TN
Automation IG | Chattanooga, TN
Job Description. Job Description. Mechanical Design Engineer to perform conceptual and detailed mechanical design of weld fixtures, gages, tooling, custom ... more
8 Days Ago
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