How Much Does a Senior Electrical Engineer Make? (2025)
A senior electrical engineer is primarily responsible for managing the projects and teams that handle electrical systems or products' design, development, and testing. They also provide technical expertise and professional advice to ensure regulatory compliance with national safety and quality standards.
Moreover, senior electrical engineers may also be involved in research, evaluation, and assessment of new technologies in electrical engineering. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment is also expected to grow by 9% over the next decade from 2023 to 2033, translating to 19,000 senior electrical engineer job openings in the USA.
Salary.com reports that the average annual salary for senior electrical engineers in the US is $117,683 in 2025. Learn more about the salary trend for senior electrical engineers and the top-paying cities in the US, as well as some FAQs about the occupation.
What is the Average Senior Electrical Engineer's Salary
As mentioned above, the median salary for senior electrical engineers in the United States is $117,683 in 2025. As of April 7, 2025, the updated salary range for senior electrical engineers in the US is between $99,553 and $137,074.
2025 Average Salary for Senior Electrical Engineers: $117,683 per year ($57 per hour)
A senior electrical engineer's average monthly salary is $9,807, while the average weekly pay is $2,263. Meanwhile, the salary of a senior electrical engineer per hour is $57, according to the report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $48 | $1,914 | $8,296 | $99,553 |
| 25th Percentile | $52 | $2,081 | $9,016 | $108,193 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $57 | $2,263 | $9,807 | $117,683 |
| 75th Percentile | $61 | $2,458 | $10,653 | $127,833 |
| 90th Percentile | $66 | $2,636 | $11,423 | $137,074 |
Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries State by State
Key factors such as state minimum wage, occupation demand, location, and living standards may also impact senior electrical engineer salaries across US states.
As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salaries for senior electrical engineers in the United States are Mississippi, South Dakota, and West Virginia, with salaries of $104,953, $106,953, and $105,973, respectively.
Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual salaries for senior electrical engineers are the District of Columbia, California, and New Jersey, with $130,293, $129,803, and $127,553, respectively.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $127,393 |
| Alabama | $108,113 |
| Arkansas | $106,313 |
| Arizona | $114,673 |
| California | $129,803 |
| Colorado | $120,073 |
| Connecticut | $125,763 |
| District of Columbia | $130,293 |
| Delaware | $119,173 |
| Florida | $111,353 |
| Georgia | $113,503 |
| Hawaii | $123,003 |
| Iowa | $112,623 |
| Idaho | $109,853 |
| Illinois | $119,953 |
| Indiana | $112,963 |
| Kansas | $112,053 |
| Kentucky | $110,743 |
| Louisiana | $111,893 |
| Massachusetts, MA | $128,073 |
| Maryland | $121,343 |
| Maine | $114,743 |
| Michigan | $115,893 |
| Minnesota | $120,423 |
| Missouri | $111,813 |
| Mississippi | $104,953 |
| Montana | $111,103 |
| North Carolina | $111,833 |
| North Dakota | $116,243 |
| Nebraska | $110,873 |
| New Hampshire | $118,973 |
| New Jersey | $127,553 |
| New Mexico | $109,003 |
| Nevada | $116,473 |
| New York | $125,103 |
| Ohio | $114,583 |
| Oklahoma | $108,813 |
| Oregon | $119,503 |
| Pennsylvania | $117,153 |
| Rhode Island | $122,013 |
| South Carolina | $110,273 |
| South Dakota | $106,953 |
| Tennessee | $109,973 |
| Texas | $114,783 |
| Utah | $112,693 |
| Virginia | $118,503 |
| Vermont | $115,503 |
| Washington | $127,603 |
| Wisconsin | $115,763 |
| West Virginia | $105,973 |
| Wyoming | $112,853 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Senior Electrical Engineers?
Senior electrical engineer salaries also vary by city due to the differences in standard of living, local demand for the occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for senior electrical engineers, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. Certain cities, such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus, also show signs of increased demand for senior electrical engineer occupations:
Moreover, other highest-paying cities in California are San Diego, Fremont, and Walnut Creek with $127,373, $148,143, and $143,613.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $148,423 ($71 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $146,973 ($71 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $143,713 ($69 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $136,383 ($66 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $135,493 ($65 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $134,553 ($65 per hour) |
How Does Experience Affect Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries?
More experience gives senior electrical engineers an edge over their peers and plays an important role in increasing their salary.
Salary.com reports that entry-level senior electrical engineers earn an average annual income of $111,741. Having 2 more years of experience can increase a senior electrical engineer's salary to $112,438.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the senior electrical engineer's pay could increase to about $113,832. Specialist and expert-level senior electrical engineers can earn up to $118,911 and $121,600, respectively.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior Electrical Engineer | $111,741 |
| Intermediate Level Senior Electrical Engineer | $112,438 |
| Senior Level Senior Electrical Engineer | $113,832 |
| Specialist Level Senior Electrical Engineer | $118,911 |
| Expert Level Senior Electrical Engineer | $121,600 |
How to Increase Salary as a Senior Electrical Engineer?
Senior electrical engineers are typically required to earn a bachelor's degree in related engineering fields to enter the workforce. Moreover, employers also value practical experience in the industry, such as internships and participation in cooperative engineering programs.
In line with this, a senior electrical engineer must still focus on upskilling, gaining more technical experience, and possessing related credentials to earn competitive pay and increase their earning potential. Below are some common senior electrical engineer advancements and skills:
Senior Electrical Engineer Advancements
- Develop a Strong Educational Background: Firstly, to become an electrical engineer, one must acquire a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. But becoming a senior electrical engineer also requires continuous learning; therefore, participating in electrical engineering programs accredited by ABET is a huge plus.
- Earning Licenses and Certifications: Experienced senior electrical engineers may also obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) license, allowing them to manage and oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on different projects, and even provide public service.
- Professional Field Advancements: With enough experience and credentials, a senior electrical engineer may advance to supervisory or management positions where they can lead a team composed of engineers and technicians.
Senior Electrical Engineer Skills
Gaining sought-after skills for a senior electrical engineer is an effective way to earn a higher salary and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand skills for senior electrical engineers are electrical systems and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) skills with 28.86% and 28.58%, respectively.
Also, essential skills such as circuit design and industry standards can increase the salary for a senior electrical engineer by 6.54% and 5.92%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Design | 7.64% | +6.54% |
| Industry Standards | 8.90% | +5.92% |
| 3D Modeling | 11.87% | +5.47% |
| 3D Computer-Aided Designs (CAD) | 28.58% | +5.42% |
| Electrical Systems | 28.86% | +5.26% |
| Procurement | 7.93% | +4.41% |
What are the FAQs About Senior Electrical Engineer Salaries?
Here are some common questions about the senior electrical engineer pay:
How much do senior electrical engineers make?
According to Salary.com data, senior electrical engineers typically earn $117,683 per year or $57 per hour in 2025. However, it's important to note that key factors such as state minimum wage, occupation demand, location, and living standards may also impact senior electrical engineer salaries across US states.
Who gets paid more, electricians or electrical engineers?
Electrical engineers usually earn more money than electricians mainly due to their job requirements of having a higher-level education and specialized skills. Moreover, an electrical engineer typically manages a team composed of electricians and other electrical engineers as well.
What is the highest position in electrical engineering?
The highest positions in electrical engineering are often involved in leadership and management roles such as the Chief Electrical Engineer, Head of Electrical Engineering, or Principal Electrical Engineer. Moreover, these positions are also heavily involved in executive decisions, as they are usually in charge of managing a major engineering department in the company.
