Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Burbank, CA: $65.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Burbank, CA runs $65.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Burbank's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,274 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burbank, California, the median electrical engineer hourly pay sits at $65.12, which exceeds the national median of $60.11. This competitive rate is particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem electrical engineers working in various high-tech environments, such as hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and defense contractor facilities. With hourly earnings ranging from $38.92 for entry-level positions to as much as $100.32 for top earners, professionals in this field can enjoy flexibility in their schedules while still achieving solid financial returns. Many engineers take advantage of per-diem work, which provides opportunities for competitive compensation and caters to skill sets that are in high demand in Burbank’s evolving tech landscape.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.92 | $311.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.12 | $385.00 |
| Median (P50) | $65.12 | $520.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.99 | $663.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.32 | $802.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burbank
Based on $65.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.12/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burbank, CA can expect to earn approximately $135,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,148. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burbank.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burbank
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,604.93 | $11,288 | $135,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,562.96 | $6,773 | $81,274 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,041.97 | $4,515 | $54,183 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Burbank) | $65.12 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in Burbank, CA earn a median of $135,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.34% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 1.20% below the California state average of $137,102.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.12/hr = $81,274/year (purchasing power: $71,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,456/year (purchasing power: $119,767).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $74.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Burbank grew 22.4% from $51.32/hr (2019) to $62.83/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.50/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in Burbank
When evaluating part-time earning potential, an electrical engineer working only three days a week for 24 hours stands to earn around $101,433 annually, which can be quite lucrative compared to a full-time commitment. Per-diem positions often command even higher rates, with billing from $90 to $170 per hour for general roles, while specialized positions can see rates skyrocket. For instance, security-cleared defense contractors may earn between $150 and $280 an hour, while consultants with chip design expertise often bill from $200 to $400 hourly. Burbank's employer spectrum varies significantly, affecting pay rates; tech giants and defense contractors tend to offer premiums for skills like security clearance, whereas more stable roles in utilities and power systems may trade a higher hourly rate for benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans. Electrical engineers should carefully assess their negotiating strategies given these variables, ensuring they find a balance between desired hourly rates and the benefits that different employers can provide.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in Burbank. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank 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