Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Chesapeake, VA: $51.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Chesapeake, VA runs $51.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,392 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Chesapeake's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,432 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chesapeake, Virginia, electrical engineers command a median hourly pay of $51.63, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11 per hour. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those who are part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week in environments like tech company hardware labs or utility substations. The entry-level hourly rate in this region starts at approximately $29.94, while top earners can make as much as $80.03, indicating a varied landscape based on experience and expertise. The range reflects the wealth of opportunities available, especially given the city's focus on industries such as semiconductor fabrication and defense contracting, which often require specialized skills and security clearances.
About the Chesapeake Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.94 | $239.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.28 | $322.23 |
| Median (P50) | $51.63 | $413.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.09 | $528.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.03 | $640.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chesapeake
Based on $51.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.63/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chesapeake, VA can expect to earn approximately $107,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,954. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chesapeake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chesapeake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,065.12 | $8,949 | $107,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,239.07 | $5,369 | $64,432 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $826.05 | $3,580 | $42,955 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Chesapeake) | $51.63 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $107,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.11% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.90% below the Virginia state average of $112,925.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.63/hr = $64,432/year (purchasing power: $62,434).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,386/year (purchasing power: $104,057).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Chesapeake grew 22.4% from $40.68/hr (2019) to $49.81/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.51/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in Chesapeake
For those contemplating part-time positions, working 24 hours a week as an electrical engineer results in a significant annual income, although less than what full-time roles yield. Per-diem electrical engineers in Chesapeake often leverage contract opportunities, billing anywhere from $90 to $170 per hour, depending on their area of expertise. In sectors such as defense contracting, hourly rates can spike to $150-$280 due to the necessity for security clearances. Specialized consultants in chip design or expert witness roles might see rates from $200 to $400 per hour. Pay varies significantly based on the employer, with tech firms like Apple and Intel offering higher wages compared to utility companies, which tend to emphasize stability and benefits like pensions over cash. As negotiating hourly rates, electrical engineers should consider the value of compensation packages that include health insurance against potentially higher pay rates without benefits as they weigh their career path within the diverse Chesapeake engineering market.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Chesapeake in 2026?
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in Chesapeake. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chesapeake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov