Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $52.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Portsmouth, VA runs $52.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,251 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,557 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $52.53, which is significantly lower than the national median of $60.11 per hour. This difference holds implications for those considering part-time or per-diem positions within typical settings, such as technological firms and defense contracting environments. For example, a part-time electrical engineer working three days a week can navigate the local labor market while also observing hourly ranges that span from $33.68 for entry-level roles to $79.11 for top earners. Hourly pay is particularly relevant in sectors like semiconductor fabrication clean rooms and utility field engineering, where engineers often engage in hands-on work or remote CAD simulations. It is essential to recognize that these hourly estimates derive from projected annual salaries, offering a lens into the compensation landscape for those operating on an hourly basis.
About the Portsmouth 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) | $33.68 | $269.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.32 | $322.56 |
| Median (P50) | $52.53 | $420.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.26 | $530.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.11 | $632.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $52.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.53/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $109,262 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,036. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,101.19 | $9,105 | $109,262 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,260.72 | $5,463 | $65,557 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $840.48 | $3,642 | $43,705 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Portsmouth) | $52.53 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $109,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.62% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $112,863.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.53/hr = $65,557/year (purchasing power: $63,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,262/year (purchasing power: $105,874).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Portsmouth grew 22.4% from $41.40/hr (2019) to $50.68/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.45/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Part-time electrical engineers in Portsmouth, typically working 24 hours a week, can expect to take home an annual income of around $65,700. This figure reflects a stark contrast to full-time counterparts, highlighting the substantial earning potential for those willing to work on a contract or per-diem basis. Notably, per-diem electrical engineer pay in Portsmouth often ranges from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized roles yielding even higher rates. For instance, security-cleared positions at defense contractors can command rates from $150 to $280 per hour. Moreover, consultants in chip design, often regarded as the crème de la crème of electrical engineering, can bill between $200 and $400 per hour. Engineers may find a trade-off between higher hourly rates with fewer benefits and lower rates that offer health insurance. In negotiations, it’s vital for hourly workers to consider these factors while also positioning themselves strategically against the competition offered by regional employers like Apple, Lockheed Martin, and Tesla—a practical understanding of Portsmouth's distinct market nuances can greatly enhance earning potential in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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