Electrical Engineer Salary in District of Columbia: $131,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $131,034/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,995 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($126,420).
In 2026, electrical engineers in the District of Columbia can expect an average median salary of $131,034, which is 4.8% higher than the national median of $125,033. Notably, Washington is both the highest and lowest paying city for this profession, reflecting a uniform wage across the area. This stability in salary is likely influenced by the concentration of federal government agencies, contractors, and tech firms that require skilled electrical engineers, driving consistent demand for their expertise. The job market in the District is projected to see a growth rate of 3.65% annually, indicating a steady increase in job opportunities. Factors contributing to this demand include the region's focus on infrastructure improvement, renewable energy projects, and advanced technology initiatives. Additionally, licensing requirements in the District require electrical engineers to obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which involves passing the requisite examinations and gaining relevant work experience. This can influence salaries and job opportunities as licensed professionals may command higher wages. Overall, the District of Columbia presents a favorable landscape for electrical engineers, with strong salary prospects and a growing job market.
District of Columbia Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $87,916 (lowest entry-level) to $202,314 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia electrical engineers earn 4.80% more than the national median (+$6,001/year difference).
District of Columbia Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in District of Columbia range from $87,916 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $202,314 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $131,034. The District of Columbia median is $6,001 above the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $63.00/hr. Approximately 4,450 electrical engineers are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$123,340
2025 BLS Actual
$126,420
2026 Current Est.
$131,034
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $123,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 2.5% from $123,340 (2019) to $126,420 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,477 (10.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $87,916 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $131,034 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $202,314 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $131,034 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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