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Electrical Engineering Salary in Washington: Is It a Good Career?

Washington · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrical Engineering pay in Washington

The median wage is $132,710/yr — 10% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Washingtonranks #5 of 49 states by median pay.

The numbers in Washington

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrical Engineering.

Median salary
$132,710/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$103,910 – $166,160
National median
$120,630/yr
Employed in Washington
7,610

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

What that pay is really worth in Washington

Salary alone can mislead — Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
107
Nominal median
$132,710
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $124,028
State income tax
None

Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #13 of 49, down from #5 on raw salary.

Washington levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

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.

FAQ

How much do electrical engineering professionals make in Washington?

The median annual wage is $132,710 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $103,910 and $166,160. That's 10% above the national median.

Is Washington a good state for electrical engineering?

By raw pay, Washington ranks #5 of 49 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Washington costs 7% more than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $124,028. Washington's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #13 of 49, down from #5 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are electrical engineering professionals in demand in Washington?

About 7,610 people work in this field in Washington (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +7.2% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrical Engineering nationally — Washington pay is 10% above 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.