Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Fontana, CA: $68.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Fontana, CA runs $68.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,626 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Fontana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,581 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fontana, California, the electrical engineer hourly pay reaches a median of $68.57, surpassing the national hourly median of $60.11 by 14.07%. This rate translates well for part-time professionals who might work three days a week in various settings, such as tech company labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and engineering consulting environments. The hourly range for electrical engineers in Fontana runs from approximately $40.01 for entry-level roles to $106.28 for top earners, catering to diverse expertise levels. These hourly figures derive from annual salary estimates, indicating the sector's robust compensation landscape, which draws a pool of talent to both prominent local firms and specialized contracting roles.
About the Fontana 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) | $40.01 | $320.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.95 | $399.59 |
| Median (P50) | $68.57 | $548.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.77 | $702.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.28 | $850.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fontana
Based on $68.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.57/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fontana, CA can expect to earn approximately $142,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,290. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fontana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fontana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,742.99 | $11,886 | $142,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,645.80 | $7,132 | $85,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,097.20 | $4,755 | $57,054 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Fontana) | $68.57 |
| 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 Fontana, CA earn a median of $142,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.07% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 4.00% above the California state average of $137,140.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.57/hr = $85,581/year (purchasing power: $75,669).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,636/year (purchasing power: $126,115).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $78.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Fontana grew 22.4% from $54.04/hr (2019) to $66.16/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $71.08/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 Fontana 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 Fontana
Shifting focus to the earning potential for part-time electrical engineers in Fontana, a three-day workweek at 24 hours translates to a take-home income of about $66,969 annually, compared to the full-time equivalent of roughly $142,626. Freelance or per-diem electrical engineers often enjoy higher hourly rates, billing anywhere from $90 to $170, especially in high-demand fields such as chip design or cleared defense work, which can command between $150 to $280 an hour. Employers vary significantly in the pay they offer based on their industry affiliation: while semiconductor companies like Intel and Nvidia entice with higher rates, roles in utilities offer more stability and benefits despite lower compensation. For those engineers inclined toward agency or contract positions, negotiating for higher direct pay might come at the expense of health benefits, so weighing options carefully can lead to more lucrative choices. Creating a compelling personal brand and leveraging skillsets can significantly enhance one's hourly rate in Fontana's vibrant job market.
More salary data for Fontana, 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 Fontana. 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 Fontana 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