Salary guide, May 2025
Controls Engineer pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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The median annual wage for Electrical Engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC was $130,240 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $82,280 and $169,310.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $9,610 above the national median of $120,630, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $73,380 | $82,280 | $130,240 | $169,310 | $221,050 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.28 | $39.56 | $62.62 | $81.40 | $106.27 |
BLS estimated 1,500 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 1.58.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $76,550 | $92,830 | $120,630 | $152,950 | $184,300 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36.80 | $44.63 | $58.00 | $73.53 | $88.61 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Controls Engineer median is $130,240. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 2.51 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.58 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $84,640 | $130,900 | $164,760 |
| May 2025 | $82,280 | $130,240 | $169,310 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-2071 Electrical Engineers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $101,260 | $79,130 to $123,940 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $104,230 | $81,020 to $123,070 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC area, Manufacturing Headhunters observes a median wage of $130,240 for the SOC 17-2071 electrical engineering classification. This figure sits above the national median of $120,630. 58, marking a high concentration of this occupational group. For Controls Engineer in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates.
The May 2025 median is $130,240; the May 2024 median is $130,900. Their arithmetic difference is -$660. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. Note that these BLS numbers span all industries, as specific manufacturing data for controls engineering is not published separately.
The middle-band width in Raleigh measures $87,030, derived from a P25 of $82,280 and a P75 of $169,310. This band is significantly wider than the national middle-band width of $60,120. While the national P75 is $152,950, Raleigh engineers reach a P75 of $169,310. National industry-specific benchmarks show median earnings of $141,160 in Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing and $137,540 in Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing.
Comparing local metros, the Goldsboro, NC area reports a lower median of $101,260 with a middle-band width of $44,810. The Rocky Mount, NC area presents a median of $104,230 and a middle-band width of $42,050. For Controls Engineer in Raleigh-Cary, NC, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded. Candidates typically demonstrate proficiency in motion and safety PLC protocols alongside HMI/SCADA management to meet site-specific requirements.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Is the Raleigh median higher than the national median for this occupation?
For Controls Engineer in Raleigh-Cary, NC, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
Does the BLS data represent specific manufacturing controls engineering roles?
No, the BLS classifies these roles under the broader electrical engineering SOC, as it does not publish specific manufacturing titles separately. The data covers all industries within the reported metro area.
What is the significance of the middle-band width in Raleigh?
The middle-band width of $87,030 represents the spread between the 25th and 75th percentiles. This range is wider than the national figure, suggesting a larger variance in pay among Raleigh-area engineers.
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