Electrical Engineer Salary in Staunton, VA: $118,451 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Staunton, VA earns a median $118,451/year (≈ $56.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $129,983 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, the projected compensation for electrical engineers in 2026 is anticipated to be $118,451 annually, placing it slightly below the national average of $125,033. This salary reflects a range that spans from $87,553 at the lower end to $139,078 at the upper end, showcasing a diverse array of opportunities within the industry. These figures, derived from BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the competitive landscape for electrical engineering roles in the region, which often include positions in semiconductor and chip design, defense contracts, and utility power systems. In Staunton, the job market for electrical engineers appears robust, suggesting a stable environment for both recent graduates and seasoned professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,553 | $42.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,210 | $50.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,451 | $56.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,253 | $65.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,078 | $66.86 |
Median Salary Position
5.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,525 (2026 est.). At $118,451, the local median is 5.26% below the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be above the median
How Staunton Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Staunton median: $118,451/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $112,918 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -5.26% less |
Electrical Engineers in Staunton, VA earn a median of $118,451 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.26% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.90% above the Virginia state average of $112,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $118,451 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,983 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,700
2025 BLS Actual
$114,280
2026 Current Est.
$118,451
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,451 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 27.4% from $89,700 (2019) to $114,280 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,075 (36.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $87,553 – $104,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,210 – $118,451 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,451 – $135,253 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,253 – $139,078 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Staunton
The local job market boasts around 40 electrical engineers currently employed, presenting a relatively niche field. With a cost-of-living index of 91.128, Staunton offers a more affordable living environment compared to the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for professionals in this field. Among local employers, tech firms engaged in semiconductor design, particularly those linked to major corporations like Apple and Intel, tend to offer the highest salaries. The compensation structure also reflects varying industry demands, with those holding security clearances often receiving a premium. To maximize pay potential, candidates may consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications such as a PE license, while also evaluating whether they prefer technical roles or management tracks depending on their long-term career aspirations.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Staunton?
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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 $114,280 for electrical engineersin the Staunton 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
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