Electrical Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Electrical Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $116,760 a year ($56.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,310 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $120,630. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $119,030. There are 1.8 electrical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electrical engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| 25th percentile | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Median | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| 75th percentile | $134,010 | $64.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Average (mean) | $118,040 | $56.75 |
Half of electrical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,730 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,865 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,490.77 |
| Weekly | $2,245.38 |
| Hourly | $56.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,420 | 4,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $122,600 | 110 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $114,280 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $108,930 | 270 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,210 | 1,410 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $100,900 | 130 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $98,670 | 160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $95,920 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,520 |
| California | $144,040 |
| District of Columbia | $143,000 |
| New Hampshire | $135,710 |
| Washington | $132,710 |
| Texas | $129,450 |
| Idaho | $129,340 |
| Massachusetts | $127,720 |
| Delaware | $126,970 |
| Alaska | $125,970 |
See Electrical Engineer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for electrical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $116,760 a year, or $56.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electrical engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of electrical engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $159,310 a year. The top 25% earn $134,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for electrical engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,730 a year, and a quarter of electrical engineers earn $99,070 or less.
How many electrical engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,160 electrical engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.