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Electrical Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electrical Engineer IV in the United States is $143,786 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $158,997
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $132,717 to $151,748
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,639

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Engineer IV Salaries

An Electrical Engineer IV'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 Electrical Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Engineer IV'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:

  • Electrical Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,279
  • Electrical Engineer III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • Electrical Engineer IV (7+ years): $143,786
  • Electrical Engineer V (7-10 years): $166,803
  • Electrical Engineer VI (10-12 years): $200,764
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Electrical Engineer II2-4 years$99,279
Electrical Engineer III4-7 years$120,758
Electrical Engineer IV7+ years$143,786
Electrical Engineer V7-10 years$166,803
Electrical Engineer VI10-12 years$200,764

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Engineer IV

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: $181,357
  • San Francisco: $179,372
  • Oakland: $175,591

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.89% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 3.29% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Renewable Energy (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): Using renewable energy sources for more sustainable business operations to drive environmental risk and cost reduction.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.89%
AutoCAD 3.29%
Renewable Energy 1.63%

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 an Electrical Engineer IV's salary.

  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Circuit Design: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prototyping $152,413
6%
Verbal Communication $149,537
4%
Circuit Design $149,537
4%

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

Electrical Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $160,960. While startup companies pay approximate $136,168.

Electrical Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $136,168
Growth Stage 51~500 $144,014
Established 501~5000 $155,436
Enterprise 5000+ $160,960

Electrical Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electrical Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Engineer positions in Internet or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electrical Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$175,419$84.022%
Energy & Utilities$165,354$79.015%
Aerospace & Defense$161,040$77.012%
MFG Nondurable$161,040$77.012%
Construction$158,165$76.010%

How Education impacts an Electrical Engineer IV's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Electrical Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $135,331 and $141,444.

Electrical Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electrical Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.5%
Bachelors 44.6%
Masters 41.6%
Doctorate 12.6%

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

Understanding how an Electrical Engineer IV'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 August 01, 2026
$132,717
Average $143,786/year
$151,748
$11,060
Average $11,982/month
$12,646
$2,552
Average $2,765/week
$2,918
$64
Average $69/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $151,748 $12,646 $2,918 $73
Average $143,786 $11,982 $2,765 $69
25th Percentile $132,717 $11,060 $2,552 $64

Electrical Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Electrical Engineer IV, 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.

Electrical Engineer IV Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Signal & Image Processing Engineer V $191,003 33%
Electrical Engineer V $166,803 16%
Electronics Engineer V $169,238 18%
Radio Frequency Engineer V $177,640 24%

Most common benefits for Electrical Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Electrical Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Electrical Engineer IV

1. Where can an Electrical Engineer IV earn the most?

An Electrical Engineer IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Electrical Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Electrical Engineer IV is $181,357.

2. What is the highest pay for Electrical Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Electrical Engineer IV is $158,997.

3. What is the lowest pay for Electrical Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Electrical Engineer IV is $122,639.

4. What are the responsibilities of Electrical Engineer IV?

Designs, develops, and tests electrical equipment, components, circuits, or systems. Applies mathematical and engineering principles and methods to designs. Performs extensive testing and validation of designs to ensure reliability, performance, and safety standards are achieved. Conducts research and studies new technologies to innovate and design solutions or products. Requires a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Electrical Engineer IV?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Electrical Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 22% above the market median.

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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