Electrical Engineer Salary in Newport News, VA: $113,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Newport News, VA earns a median $113,784/year (≈ $54.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Newport News's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $110,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newport News, Virginia, the electrical engineer salary is projected to reach a median of $113,784 in 2026, showcasing a unique market position compared to the national average. Salaries range significantly from $74,809 at the 10th percentile to $176,365 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variation based on experience, security clearance, and industry. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that while the local market may not match the national median of $125,033, it still offers a competitive compensation package. The presence of defense contractors and technology firms in the area indicates that many roles likely require security clearance, which often adds a premium to salaries.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,809 | $35.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,246 | $42.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,784 | $54.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,644 | $70.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,365 | $84.79 |
Median Salary Position
9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport News
In Newport News, VA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,556 (2026 est.). At $113,784, the local median is 9% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport News: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport News Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Newport News median: $113,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport News Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $112,881 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -9.00% less |
Electrical Engineers in Newport News, VA earn a median of $113,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.00% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $112,881.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport News has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport News, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,784 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,256 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,665
2025 BLS Actual
$109,777
2026 Current Est.
$113,784
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,665 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,758 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,024 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,328 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,937 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport News metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $89,665 (2019) to $109,777 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,937 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,272 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,809 – $89,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,246 – $113,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,784 – $145,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,644 – $176,365 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Newport News
With only 39 electrical engineers employed in Newport News, the local job market is relatively niche. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact overall purchasing power for engineers navigating this market. While tech giants like Apple and Intel offer the highest salaries, local defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also provide competitive pay, particularly for engineers with security clearances. The disparity between the lower and higher ends of the pay scale highlights that industry choice matters—semiconductor and defense roles generally pay more than positions in utilities and consulting. Engineers aiming to maximize their salary in Newport News should consider pursuing further credentials, such as a PE license, or specializing in high-demand areas like chip design, which can lead to substantial salary benefits.
More salary data for Newport News, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $109,777 for electrical engineersin the Newport News metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Newport News 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