Electrical Engineer Salary

Danville vs Richmond: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Danville, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Danville, VA
$110,390
$53.07/hr
Richmond, VA
$121,022
$58.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDanville, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$110,390$121,022
Hourly Rate$53.07$58.19
Entry Level (P10)$69,532$83,677
25th Percentile$83,429$102,686
75th Percentile$137,136$138,901
Top Earner (P90)$161,087$165,125
Total Employed71,160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Danville ($110,390) and Richmond ($121,022) electrical engineer salaries.DanvilleRichmondMedian Salary$110,390$121,022Entry Level (P10)$69,532$83,677Top Earner (P90)$161,087$165,125US Median $125,033

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Danville.

The salary gap between Danville and Richmond is $10,632 (9.63%). Richmond's median is -3.21% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Danville spans $91,555,Richmond spans $81,448. Danville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Danville
P10 (Entry)$69,532
P25$83,429
Median$110,390
P75$137,136
P90 (Top)$161,087
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$83,677
P25$102,686
Median$121,022
P75$138,901
P90 (Top)$165,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($123,671 effective) pays 15.62% more than Danville ($106,967 effective).

Danville
Nominal: $110,390
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $106,967
Richmond
Nominal: $121,022
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $123,671

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Danville if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,022/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($165,125)
  • Larger job market (1,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,671)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Danville grew -17.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Danville, VA

+-17.5%

$129,153 (2024) → $106,503 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+19.8%

$97,440 (2019) → $116,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Danville or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $121,022/year, compared to Danville at $110,390/year — a difference of $10,632 (9.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Danville and Richmond?

Danville electrical engineers earn $53.07/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $58.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Danville to Richmond as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Danville and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Danville = $106,967, Richmond = $123,671), job availability (7 vs 1,160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Danville vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $69,532 in Danville and $83,677 in Richmond. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov