Engineering Arlington, VA Pop. 238,643

Electrical Engineer Salary in Arlington, Virginia

The median electrical engineer salary in Arlington, VA is $138,085 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median and 26.9% above the Virginia state average.

City Median
$138,085
vs State Avg
+$29,291
vs National
+$33,475
Cost of Living
132%

Electrical Engineer Pay in Arlington: What to Expect (2026)

Arlington offers a median electrical engineer salary of $138,085, which is $29,291 above the Virginia state average of $108,794. Compared to the national median of $104,610, Arlington pays above average for this role.

However, Arlington's cost of living index is 132%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $138,085 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $104,610. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Arlington should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for electrical engineers in Arlington spans from $87,120 at the 10th percentile to $213,840 at the 90th percentile — a $126,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $89,760, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,600. With a population of 238,643, Arlington is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Arlington by Experience

In Arlington, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $89,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$89,760
+$21,760 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$139,920
+$33,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,600
+$49,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Arlington, VA

Percentile Arlington
10th Percentile $87,120
25th Percentile $109,560
Median (50th) $138,085
75th Percentile $174,240
90th Percentile $213,840

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Arlington

Education

Most electrical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Arlington and the surrounding Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Arlington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Electrical Engineer Jobs in Arlington

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Arlington, VA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Arlington

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Arlington, VA? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Arlington, Virginia is $138,085 per year, which is 32.0% above the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $87,120 (10th percentile) to $213,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Arlington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $138,085, a electrical engineer in Arlington earns approximately $66 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Arlington compare to the Virginia state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Arlington's median electrical engineer salary of $138,085 is 26.9% above the Virginia state average of $108,794. The local cost of living index is 132% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Arlington, VA? ▼
Arlington has a cost of living index of 132% compared to the national average. This means a electrical engineer salary of $138,085 in Arlington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Arlington? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Arlington require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.