Salary data is based on the Topeka, KS metropolitan area and applied to Topeka using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Electrical Salaries in Topeka, KS

Average Base Pay

$35,148/yr

15% below national average

Monthly

$2,929

Hourly

$17

Cost Index

Electrical in Topeka, KS earn an average of $35,148 per year, with most salaries falling between $28,118 and $42,178 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 15% below the national average, Topeka offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 68. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Topeka.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$26K
Low

$35K
Median

$44K
High

25th percentile: $30K75th percentile: $40K

About Electrical

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems and components including power generation and distribution systems, electronic circuits, communication systems, control systems, and embedded systems. The field spans power engineering, electronics, signal processing, telecommunications, and embedded systems design. Power engineers design high-voltage transmission systems, substations, and electrical distribution networks. Electronics engineers design printed circuit boards, analog and digital circuits, and microelectronic devices. Embedded systems engineers develop firmware and hardware for microcontrollers in products ranging from appliances to aerospace systems. Control engineers design feedback and automation systems for manufacturing, robotics, and process control. Electrical engineers use simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, SPICE, and Altium Designer, and must translate theoretical designs into physical hardware that meets performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements. They work in energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics industries. PE licensure is required for power systems engineers working on public utility projects.

What Electricals Do

Design electrical systems, circuits, and components for products or infrastructure
Develop schematics and PCB layouts using EDA tools
Perform circuit analysis, simulation, and validation testing
Specify electrical components and materials for design requirements
Develop firmware for embedded systems and microcontrollers
Ensure designs meet safety standards and regulatory requirements
Collaborate with mechanical engineers, software engineers, and manufacturing teams
Troubleshoot and resolve electrical system failures

Key Skills & Qualifications

Circuit design and analysis (analog and digital)
PCB design using Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle
MATLAB and Simulink for modeling and simulation
Embedded C/C++ programming for microcontrollers
Power systems fundamentals and electrical code knowledge
Oscilloscope, multimeter, and laboratory instrument proficiency
PE licensure (required for power engineering roles)
Cross-disciplinary collaboration with mechanical and software teams

Career Path

Electrical Engineer I / EIT
Electrical Engineer II
Senior Electrical Engineer
Principal / Staff Engineer
Engineering Manager / Chief Engineer

Electrical Market in Topeka, KS

Salary Competitiveness

Topeka currently pays 15% below the national median for Electricals. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Topeka's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 86% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

Despite a competitive gross salary, a Electrical earning $35,148 in Topeka operates in a tight purchasing-power band once taxes and local cost of living are applied. Careful planning around housing, transportation, and discretionary spending is essential to avoid running negative disposable income month to month.

vs. National Avg

-15%

Cost Pressure

86%

Purchasing Power

Tight

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$25,658

Monthly

$2,138

Weekly

$493

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $35,148 for a Electrical in Topeka translates to roughly $2,138 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $1,833—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $305 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Topeka's current market.

How far does this salary go in Topeka?

Cost of Living in Topeka

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Topeka, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$920/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$400/mo

🚗Transportation$110/mo

💡Utilities$145/mo

🏥Healthcare$258/mo

Monthly$1,833

Annual$21,996

Disposable Income$305

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Topeka to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$2,138

Living Costs

$1,833

Disposable

$305

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Tight

With a monthly take-home of $2,138, your estimated living costs in Topeka are $1,833 ($21,996/yr). This leaves $305 per month in disposable income, indicating a tight standard of living. Topeka's cost of living is 32% below the national average.

Overall, a Electrical earning $35,148 in Topeka falls into a tight lifestyle tier and will need to budget carefully—essential costs consume a significant share of take-home pay, leaving limited room for savings or emergencies. With a cost index of 68, Topeka is 32% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Topeka continue to evolve.