Electrical Engineer Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $109,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $109,251/year (≈ $52.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $105,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in the electrical engineering field in Portsmouth, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $109,251. This position comes with a salary range between $70,035 at the lower end (10th percentile) and $164,546 at the high end (90th percentile). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost of living. Portsmouth's job market indicates a clear divide between opportunities in the management track versus those focusing on individual contributor (IC) roles. Those who progress along the IC track often have access to higher compensation based on their specialized skills, particularly in lucrative sectors like semiconductor design or defense contracting.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,035 | $33.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,869 | $40.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,251 | $52.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $137,836 | $66.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,546 | $79.11 |
Median Salary Position
12.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,511 (2026 est.). At $109,251, the local median is 12.62% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $109,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $112,863 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -12.62% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,251 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,863 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,093
2025 BLS Actual
$105,404
2026 Current Est.
$109,251
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,103 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,745 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $86,093 (2019) to $105,404 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,146 (31.53%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,035 – $83,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,869 – $109,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,251 – $137,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $137,836 – $164,546 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Portsmouth
The local job market employs about 17 electrical engineers, suggesting niche prospects for this profession within the Portsmouth area. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 103.2, this means that while salaries may appear competitive, purchasing power could be slightly impacted compared to the national average. Among the highest-paying employers in Portsmouth, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman provide significant compensation to engineers with security clearances. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors such as industry focus, the importance of security clearance for defense work, and the level of education held by engineers—those with higher degrees or specialized certifications may see greater pay. Electrical engineers can optimize their earning potential in Portsmouth by targeting roles in semiconductor manufacturing or defense while considering pathways that support ongoing education and skill development.
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
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 $105,404 for electrical engineersin the Portsmouth 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 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