Electrical Engineer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Electrical Engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $103,360 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,928 take-home, or $6,494 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,909
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,408
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,499
- North Carolina income tax$3,615
- Take-home pay$77,928
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,140 | $31.32 | $52,430 | $4,369 |
| 25th percentile | $77,650 | $37.33 | $60,867 | $5,072 |
| Median (50th) | $103,360 | $49.69 | $77,928 | $6,494 |
| 75th percentile | $137,850 | $66.27 | $100,495 | $8,375 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,210 | $102.50 | $150,658 | $12,555 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,360 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrical engineer's $77,928 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,051 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Electrical Engineer jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #63 of 79 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $163,720 | $116,477 | $121,907 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $159,360 | $120,189 | $113,754 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $187,060 | $123,681 | $112,007 |
| 5 | Chattanooga, TN | $123,840 | $95,911 | $104,862 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $131,070 | $100,852 | $102,254 |
| 7 | Huntsville, AL | $130,330 | $94,095 | $101,099 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $128,190 | $98,884 | $98,806 |
| 63 | Charlotte, NC | $103,360 | $77,928 | $80,051 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 79 metros →
Electrical Engineer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $130,240
- Durham, NC — $129,030
- Greensboro, NC — $117,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $103,360 a year, or about $49.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,650 and $137,850.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $103,360 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $77,928 a year ($6,494 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,615 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,051 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #63 of 79 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical engineer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Engineers, All Other — $118,230
- Civil Engineer — $102,370
- Industrial Engineer — $102,090
- Mechanical Engineer — $101,950
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,620
- Surveyor — $76,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,760
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $63,940
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $58,480
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $50,250