Electrical Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Electrical Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $130,240 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $95,597 take-home, or $7,966 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,992
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,075
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,888
- North Carolina income tax$4,688
- Take-home pay$95,597
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.99% state
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,380 | $35.28 | $58,034 | $4,836 |
| 25th percentile | $82,280 | $39.56 | $63,940 | $5,328 |
| Median (50th) | $130,240 | $62.62 | $95,597 | $7,966 |
| 75th percentile | $169,310 | $81.40 | $120,743 | $10,062 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,050 | $106.27 | $155,865 | $12,989 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,240 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrical engineer's $95,597 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,392 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of electrical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Raleigh, NC | $130,240 | $95,597 | $97,392 |
*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
- Durham, NC — $129,030
- Greensboro, NC — $117,480
- Charlotte, NC — $103,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $130,240 a year, or about $62.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,280 and $169,310.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $130,240 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $95,597 a year ($7,966 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,688 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,392 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #9 of 79 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical engineer afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $162,800
- Engineers, All Other — $104,910
- Industrial Engineer — $104,030
- Civil Engineer — $101,440
- Mechanical Engineer — $100,000
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $91,570
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $72,640
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $65,840
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $60,720
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $49,150