Electrical Engineers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,820 a year or less, while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle half of electrical engineers in Washington earn between $98,550 and $165,690.
- $85K10th
- $99K25th
- $126KMedian
- $166K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $134,230 | $11,186 | $64.53 |
| Median | $126,420 | $10,535 | $60.78 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $98,550 | $8,212 | $47.38 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $165,690 | $13,808 | $79.66 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Electrical Engineers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Electrical engineers in Washington earn 6% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($142,760) and 7% more than the U.S. average ($125,100). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $120,630.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $134,230 | $126,420 | $84,820 | $195,190 | 4,450 |
| Washington, D.C. | $142,760 | $143,000 | $87,450 | $195,190 | 330 |
| United States | $125,100 | $120,630 | $76,550 | $184,300 | 198,750 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Electrical Engineers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $134,230, a single filer in Washington takes home about $94,571 a year, or $7,881 a month and $3,637 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $97,754 | $8,146 |
| Working in MD | $96,756 | $8,063 |
| Working in VA | $96,108 | $8,009 |
| Working in DC | $94,571 | $7,881 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for electrical engineers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $134,230 buys what about $123,278 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Electrical Engineers salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$115,980
- Baltimore, MD$128,180
- Lexington Park, MD$129,910
- Chambersburg, PA$116,340
- Charlottesville, VA$129,920
- York, PA$117,920
Highest-paying cities for electrical engineers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($189,370).
- San Jose, CA$189,370
- San Francisco, CA$162,170
- Albuquerque, NM$158,230
- Austin, TX$157,930
- Manchester, NH$149,130
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Electrical Engineers salary in Washington: questions
How much do electrical engineers make an hour in Washington?
$64.53 an hour on average, and $60.78 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level electrical engineers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $84,820 a year and the 25th percentile is $98,550, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the electrical engineers take-home pay in Washington?
About $94,571 a year ($7,881 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $134,230.
Do electrical engineers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% more than the U.S. average for this job ($125,100).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2071; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.11, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.