Electrical Engineer Salary in Richmond, VA
Electrical Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $116,760 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $85,071 take-home, or $7,089 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$16,857
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,239
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,693
- Virginia income tax$5,900
- Take-home pay$85,071
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.75% state
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,730 | $38.81 | $61,796 | $5,150 |
| 25th percentile | $99,070 | $47.63 | $73,643 | $6,137 |
| Median (50th) | $116,760 | $56.13 | $85,071 | $7,089 |
| 75th percentile | $134,010 | $64.43 | $95,970 | $7,998 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,310 | $76.59 | $111,808 | $9,317 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $116,760 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrical engineer's $85,071 take-home pay has the buying power of $86,933 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Richmond, VA has 1.4× the national concentration of electrical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #31 of 79 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $163,720 | $116,477 | $121,907 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $159,360 | $120,189 | $113,754 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $187,060 | $123,681 | $112,007 |
| 5 | Chattanooga, TN | $123,840 | $95,911 | $104,862 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $131,070 | $100,852 | $102,254 |
| 7 | Huntsville, AL | $130,330 | $94,095 | $101,099 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $128,190 | $98,884 | $98,806 |
| 31 | Richmond, VA | $116,760 | $85,071 | $86,933 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 79 metros →
Electrical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $103,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Richmond, VA?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $116,760 a year, or about $56.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,070 and $134,010.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $116,760 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $85,071 a year ($7,089 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,900 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $86,933 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #31 of 79 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical engineer afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
- Mechanical Engineer — $104,130
- Industrial Engineer — $103,180
- Civil Engineer — $91,300
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $85,510
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $59,480