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2026 Salary — District of Columbia
Updated April 29, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in District of Columbia: $138K Median

Electrical Engineers in District of Columbia earn between $94K and $219K per year.

That's +25% above the US national median.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $138,175 per year — +25% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $93,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $218,750 (90th percentile). District of Columbia's cost-of-living index is 152. State income tax applies.

Median
$138,175
+470.0% YoY
Entry
$93,750
Experienced
$181,250
Top 10%
$218,750

About Electrical Engineers in District of Columbia

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

Hot 2026 Skills

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Keywords

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT

Electrical Engineer Salary in District of Columbia Metros

Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.

CityMedian
Washington$143,702

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

Walk-away anchor: $123,371.

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

Negotiate Beyond Base

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

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — District of Columbia

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in District of Columbia?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $138,175 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $93,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $218,750 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Electrical Engineer pay in District of Columbia compare to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in District of Columbia earn approximately 25% more than the US national median ($110,540 nationally vs $138,175 in District of Columbia). District of Columbia's cost-of-living index of 152 partially offsets the higher salary.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in District of Columbia increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in District of Columbia grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $24,241 in 2025 to $138,175 in 2026. This reflects the broader Engineering sector's wage growth, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
Which District of Columbia cities pay Electrical Engineers the most?
Top-paying District of Columbia metros for Electrical Engineers: Washington ($144K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in District of Columbia?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. District of Columbia's top industries include Federal Government, Defense, Lobbying/Consulting, and the state's unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does District of Columbia have state income tax?
Yes, District of Columbia has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $138,175, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with District of Columbia employers.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in District of Columbia?
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. Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for District of Columbia: $123,371.

Methodology

District of Columbia Electrical Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($110,540) adjusted by District of Columbia's state multiplier (1.25×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other States

Alabama$97KAlaska$116KArizona$108KArkansas$94KCalifornia$130KColorado$116KConnecticut$124KDelaware$113K

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