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2026 Salary Data — Washington, DC
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Washington: $144K Median

Electrical Engineers in Washington, DC earn between $98K and $228K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Washington, DC is $143,702 per year — +30% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $227,500 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Washington earned approximately $25,211 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$143,702
+470.0% YoY · $11,975/mo
Entry
$97,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$188,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$227,500
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Washington vs Nearby
Washington
$144K
Long Beach
$133K
+8% vs Washington
San Diego
$130K
+10% vs Washington
Boston
$144K
+0% vs Washington

Free ATS scan · Washington employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Washington

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Circuit design
  • PCB layout
  • Embedded systems
  • Power systems analysis
  • Testing and validation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles

In-demand certifications

PE LicenseSix SigmaIEEE membership

Washington Job Market

US capital with massive federal government, defense, and consulting sector.

Population
712K
Cost of Living
152
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$700K

Top Industries in Washington

GovernmentDefenseTechEducationLobbying

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Washington or hiring remotely from this metro.

Apple
Tesla
Intel
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
GE
Lockheed Martin
SpaceX

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Electrical Engineer listings.

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand.

Electrical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Washington

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$97,500$143,702$227,500
Monthly$8,125$11,975$18,958
Weekly$1,875$2,764$4,375
Hourly$47$69$109

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Washington

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$99,824.091
Per month$8,319
Biweekly paycheck$3,839
Effective tax rate30.5%

Tax Breakdown on $143,702

Gross salary$143,702
Federal income tax−$23,831.48
District of Columbia state tax−$9,053.226
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,993.203
Take-home (net)$99,824.091

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience — Washington

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Washington.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$89,700
2–3 yr$97,500
4–6 yr$143,000
7–10 yr$188,500
11–15 yr$222,430
15+ yr$208,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Washington's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,211
2026 median:$143,702
Change:+$118,491

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$94,541
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in Washington

Walk-away anchor: $128,305 (offers below this are below market for Washington).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $189K–$228K for experienced roles, citing Washington market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Washington

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Washington, DC?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Washington is $143,702 per year as of April 2026 — $11,975/month, $2,764/week, or about $69/hour. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $227,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Washington's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $143,702 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Washington?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Washington's cost-of-living index is 152 (vs 100 nationally), giving $143,702 a real purchasing power of approximately $94,541 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $143,702 in Washington?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Washington specifically (median home price $700,000), a $143,702 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $143,702 enough for a single person in Washington?
A single adult in Washington typically needs ~$68,400 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $143,702 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $143,702 enough for a couple in Washington?
A couple (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$109,440 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $143,702 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $143,702 each ($287,404 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $143,702 enough for a family of 4 in Washington?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Washington typically needs ~$167,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $143,702 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Washington. Childcare costs in Washington typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Washington?
On a $143,702 Electrical Engineer salary in Washington, DC, you take home approximately $99,824.091 per year ($8,319/month, $3,839 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $23,831.48, state $9,053.226, FICA $10,993.203. Effective tax rate: 30.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Washington earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Washington earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $143,702 in Washington). However, Washington's cost-of-living index of 152 means real purchasing power is approximately $94,541 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Washington?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Washington typically start at around $97,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $188,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $227,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Washington increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Washington grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $25,211 in 2025 to $143,702 in 2026 (+$118,491). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in Washington?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Washington's top industries include Government, Defense, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Electrical Engineers are: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Washington.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Washington?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Washington include: Apple, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, GE. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Electrical Engineer salary in Washington?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in Washington?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE License or Six Sigma). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Electrical Engineer in Washington?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Washington's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Electrical Engineer salary figures for Washington are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Washington's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Washington

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$141KSeattle, WA$146KBoston, MA$144K

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