Electrical Engineers Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
In Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, electrical engineers earn $112,090 at the median — $53.89 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $184K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $114,882 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,711/month, or 23.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $112K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About electrical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level electrical engineers (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K.Top earners bring in $184K or more - a $106K spread from bottom to top.
Electrical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $144K | +29% | 1,580 |
| California | $140K | +25% | 23,650 |
| District of Columbia | $139K | +24% | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $132K | +18% | 1,420 |
| Washington | $131K | +17% | 10,010 |
| Idaho | $129K | +15% | 920 |
| Massachusetts | $126K | +13% | 4,780 |
| New Jersey | $125K | +12% | 3,620 |
| Maryland | $124K | +11% | 4,380 |
| Virginia | $122K | +9% | 5,990 |
| Vermont | $118K | +5% | 910 |
| Alabama | $116K | +4% | 4,470 |
| New York | $113K | +1% | 7,720 |
| Wyoming | $112K | -0% | 260 |
| Delaware | $112K | -0% | 600 |
Track electrical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $112,090 a year - that works out to about $53.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,460, and experienced electrical engineers can clear $183,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,850/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 25% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a electrical engineers salary go in Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median electrical engineers salary is worth about $114,882 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electrical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.