isworthit

Is Electrical Engineering a Good Career in Virginia?

Virginia · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrical Engineering pay in Virginia

The median wage is $119,030/yr — 1% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Virginiaranks #17 of 49 states by median pay.

The numbers in Virginia

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrical Engineering.

Median salary
$119,030/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$95,450 – $148,320
National median
$120,630/yr
Employed in Virginia
7,260

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Virginia

Salary alone can mislead — Virginia costs 1% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
101.1
Nominal median
$119,030
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $117,735
State income tax
Up to 5.75%

Virginia's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #24 of 49, down from #17 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrical Engineering nationally — Virginia pay is 1% below the national median. See the full Electrical Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — electrical engineering offers high pay from a bachelor's degree and demand riding the chip, energy, and electrification booms. It's one of the harder degrees, but the payoff and stability are excellent.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay from a bachelor's degree
  • Demand from chips, energy, and electrification
  • Versatile across hardware, power, and embedded systems
  • Faster-than-average projected growth
  • Strong path into specialized, high-paying niches

Cons

  • One of the most rigorous, math-heavy degrees
  • Steep learning curve
  • Some roles require on-site or lab work
  • PE license needed for certain positions

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Strong math students who like abstract systems
  • People wanting high pay from a bachelor's
  • Anyone drawn to electronics, power, or hardware

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who struggle with heavy math
  • Those wanting a low-effort degree

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Electrical Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.