Engineering Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Electrical Engineer Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median electrical engineer salary in Tacoma, WA is $115,071 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 4.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$115,071
vs State Avg
$-5,230
vs National
+$10,461
Cost of Living
110%

Electrical Engineer Pay in Tacoma: What to Expect (2026)

Tacoma offers a median electrical engineer salary of $115,071, which is $5,230 below the Washington state average of $120,301. Compared to the national median of $104,610, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for electrical engineers in Tacoma spans from $72,600 at the 10th percentile to $178,200 at the 90th percentile — a $105,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $74,800, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,500. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $74,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$74,800
+$6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$116,600
+$10,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,500
+$15,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $72,600
25th Percentile $91,300
Median (50th) $115,071
75th Percentile $145,200
90th Percentile $178,200

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$159,007
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$154,823
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$106,702
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$96,241
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Tacoma

Education

Most electrical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Tacoma and the surrounding Washington area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Tacoma may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Electrical Engineer Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Tacoma, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Tacoma, Washington is $115,071 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $72,600 (10th percentile) to $178,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,071, a electrical engineer in Tacoma earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Tacoma's median electrical engineer salary of $115,071 is 4.3% below the Washington state average of $120,301. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a electrical engineer salary of $115,071 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Tacoma? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Tacoma require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.