Competitive salaries are used by employers to attract top-tier electrical engineers.
A well-paid position will also retain employees, keep staff motivated, improve performance, and enhance an employer’s reputation. Offering a higher salary can also give a company a competitive edge over its competitors by attracting the best employees.
On this page you’ll get information on the average pay that electrical engineers receive across different fields, regions and countries. This data will give you a good idea of the salary landscape and help you to work out if you’re being paid enough.
By: Iejaz Uddin – 28 October 2024
What is a salary?
A salary is a fixed amount of money paid to individual employees by their employers. It is usually expressed as an annual sum or figure, but is actually paid on a monthly, weekly, or bi-weekly basis. In addition to the basic pay, employees can also receive benefits in kind such as bonuses, company cars, free meals and help with childcare.
Salaries are different from wages, which are usually paid on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.
Electrical engineer salary in the UK
Remember that salaries ultimately depend on location, the size of your employer and the nature of their business. If they are a big profitable company that is based in a capital city, they are likely to pay more than a small struggling company based in the provinces.
It goes without saying that whenever you are about to start a new job it’s advisable to work out your expected salary beforehand.
Entry level Electrical Engineer salary in the UK
Starting graduate and entry level salaries are around £21,000 to £25,000. Bear in mind that this will rise as the employee’s experience and ability increases.
Experienced Electrical Engineer salary in the UK
The average salary for an experienced electrical engineer in the United Kingdom is roughly between £35,000 to £40,000 per year.
Senior Electrical Engineer salary in the UK
The typical salary for an experienced senior electrical engineers and those with chartered status, is around £60,000.
Electrical Engineer salary in London
The average salary for an electrical engineer in London is between £45,000 to £49,000 per year.
Electrical Engineer salary by country
Here is a breakdown of the salary an Electrical Engineer can receive based on the country they live in.
USA
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the median annual wage for electrical engineers was $106,950 in 2023.
Germany
The average salary for an Electrical Engineer in Germany is between €50,000 to €53000 (Euros).
Australia
The yearly salary an Electrical Engineer in Australia ranges between $120,000 to $130,000.
France
An Electrical Engineer can expect to earn between €43,000 to €48,000 (Euros) per year in France.
How to ask for a salary increase
If an employer has given you a job offer or expressed interest in taking you on, then you are in a strong position to ask for more money.
Make it clear to them that they can have you, if they increase their offer or give you more perks. Tell them that you feel your experience, qualifications, ability and future potential mean you deserve a better and more competitive remuneration package.
When negotiating a job offer there are certain rules you must follow when negotiating your pay.
First and foremost, always be polite and respectful when discussing this sensitive issue. At no point should you make unreasonable demands, bluntly threaten to leave or be rude.
Start off by calculating your value, which means looking at the years of experience, training and career achievements you have and then seeing what others are being paid in comparable roles. It’s vital you become familiar with industry salary trends.
Next prepare the pitch that you will make in front of the hiring manager, making sure to explain all of your reasons. Build you case by highlight your most relevant strengths, and detailing what the firm would get from someone with your track record.
Remember to be flexible in your negotiations and willing to accept a lower off than what you are demanding.
Finally, if they agree to your demands, then get it in writing.
It’s not all about money
Instead of a direct financial incentive, you could also ask for:
- More paid holiday days each year
- Extra payments through company stocks and shares
- A company car or other transportation assistance
- A company pension plan
- Flexible working hours
- Remote working opportunities
Please bear in mind that all the figures on this page are rough estimates as of 2024!
Related: Electrical engineer CV