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Senior Electrical Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Senior Electrical Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Electrical Engineer in the United States is $120,773 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Senior Electrical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,731
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $112,743 to $130,173
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,432

Key Factors That Influence Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries

A Senior Electrical Engineer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Electrical Engineer'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:

  • EE I (0-2 years): $81,903
  • EE II (2-4 years): $99,277
  • Senior Electrical Engineer (4-7 years): $120,758
  • EE IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • EE V (7-10 years): $166,797
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
EE I0-2 years$81,903
EE II2-4 years$99,277
Senior Electrical Engineer4-7 years$120,758
EE IV7+ years$143,785
EE V7-10 years$166,797

Top Paying Cities for Senior Electrical Engineers

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:

  • San Jose: $152,333
  • San Francisco: $150,663
  • Oakland: $147,483

What Skills Can Increase a Senior Electrical Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.98% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.94% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.98%
Installation 2.94%
CAD 1.59%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Senior Electrical Engineer's salary.

  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Circuit Design: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • PCB Design: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping $125,604
4%
Circuit Design $124,396
3%
PCB Design $124,396
3%

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Senior Electrical Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,969. While startup companies pay approximate $114,170.

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,170
Growth Stage 51~500 $120,746
Established 501~5000 $130,330
Enterprise 5000+ $134,969

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Senior Electrical Engineer 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 Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Senior Electrical Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Electrical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Senior Electrical Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$144,928$70.020%
Healthcare$138,889$67.015%
Biotechnology$132,850$64.010%
Insurance$132,850$64.010%
Pharmaceuticals$132,850$64.010%

How Education impacts a Senior Electrical Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Senior Electrical Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Senior Electrical Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $111,595 and $116,830).

Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Senior Electrical Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 0.3%
Associates 1.2%
Bachelors 43.2%
Masters 41.0%
Doctorate 14.2%

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Senior Electrical Engineer'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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$112,743
Average $120,773/year
$130,173
$9,395
Average $10,064/month
$10,848
$2,168
Average $2,323/week
$2,503
$54
Average $58/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,173 $10,848 $2,503 $63
Average $120,773 $10,064 $2,323 $58
25th Percentile $112,743 $9,395 $2,168 $54

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Senior Electrical Engineer, 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.

Senior Electrical Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Digital Signal Processing Engineer IV $147,100 22%
EE IV $143,800 19%
Electronics Design Engineer IV $143,800 19%
RF Engineer IV $143,800 19%

Most common benefits for Senior Electrical Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Senior Electrical Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Senior Electrical Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Senior Electrical Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Senior Electrical Engineer?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Senior Electrical Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Are electrical engineers in demand in USA?

Yes, electrical engineers are in demand in the USA, with employment projected to grow by 9% from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Senior Electrical Engineers can expect salaries ranging from a minimum of $107,393 to a maximum of $126,883, with a mid-salary of $116,803, reflecting the strong demand in the field.

3. Who is highest paid electrical engineer?

The highest-paid electrical engineers typically hold senior positions, with salaries ranging from $107,393 to $126,883. Senior Electrical Engineers, for instance, earn a median salary of $116,803, reflecting their expertise and experience in the field. Other high-paying roles include Instrumentation Engineer and Hardware Design Engineer, with salaries varying based on specialization and industry.

4. Do doctors make more than engineers?

According to the latest data, the median annual salary for physicians and surgeons is significantly higher at $208,000, compared to the median salary for Senior Electrical Engineers, which is $116,803. While salaries can vary based on experience and specialization, doctors generally earn more than engineers.

5. How much is an electrical engineer paid in the USA?

As of January 28, 2025, the salary for a Senior Electrical Engineer in the USA ranges from $107,393 to $126,883 annually, with a median salary of $116,803. This translates to approximately $51.63 to $60.94 per hour, or $2,066 to $2,490 per week, and $8,973 to $10,783 per month.

6. Which engineers are most in demand in USA?

In the USA, some of the most in-demand engineering fields by 2025 include Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. For Senior Electrical Engineers, salaries range from $107,393 to $126,883, with a mid-salary of $116,803, reflecting the high demand in this sector.

7. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineers in the USA include those in Computer Engineering, earning an average of USD 140,830, and IT Engineering at USD 132,930. In comparison, Senior Electrical Engineers have a salary range with a minimum of USD 107,393, a mid-point of USD 116,803, and a maximum of USD 126,883, reflecting their competitive position in the engineering field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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