Electrical Engineer Salary in Richland, WA: $135,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Richland, WA earns a median $135,637/year (≈ $65.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $126,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an electrical engineer in Richland, Washington, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $135,637, surpassing the national median of $125,033 by 8.48%. Salaries in this field show a wide range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $85,666 and experienced roles reaching up to $202,595. These figures, derived from BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate a competitive job market for electrical engineers in Richland. Given the area's emphasis on technology and defense, including roles that require security clearances, the demand for electrical engineers looks promising.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,666 | $41.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,057 | $49.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $135,637 | $65.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,214 | $81.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $202,595 | $97.40 |
Median Salary Position
8.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,929 (2026 est.). At $135,637, the local median is 8.48% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richland Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Richland median: $135,637/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $126,057 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +8.48% more |
Electrical Engineers in Richland, WA earn a median of $135,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.48% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 7.60% above the Washington state average of $126,057.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $135,637 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,291 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,887
2025 BLS Actual
$130,861
2026 Current Est.
$135,637
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,887 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $140,588 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $106,887 (2019) to $130,861 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $140,588 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,701 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $85,666 – $103,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,057 – $135,637 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $135,637 – $170,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,214 – $202,595 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Richland
Richland's job market currently employs about 15 electrical engineers, reflecting a solid industry presence, though the total number may seem modest. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, professionals in this field should consider how their salaries translate into real purchasing power. Employers such as Lockheed Martin and Intel are known to offer competitive compensation, specifically for roles that require advanced expertise and security clearance. The substantial pay difference between industries stems from various factors such as the semiconductor industry's premium for chip design, the demand for security clearances in defense, and the varying expectations for candidates based on educational backgrounds—those with a PhD or engineering credentials often command higher salaries. To maximize earning potential, aspiring engineers in Richland should focus on securing relevant internships, obtaining certifications, and considering roles that align with high-demand sectors like defense and semiconductor design.
More salary data for Richland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Richland?
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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 $130,861 for electrical engineersin the Richland 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 Richland 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