Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Irvine, CA: $68.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Irvine, CA runs $68.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,469 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Irvine's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,478 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Irvine, electrical engineers can anticipate a median hourly rate of $68.49, significantly higher than the national median of $60.11. For professionals considering part-time or per-diem work, this translates to meaningful earnings even with a reduced schedule, such as working three days a week. Typical environments for these roles include tech company labs equipped with oscilloscopes and soldering benches, as well as clean rooms in the semiconductor industry where strict gowning protocols are required. Entry-level positions might start at around $42.86 per hour, while top earners can exceed $106.17 per hour, depending on their specialization and experience in fields such as defense contracting or advanced semiconductor design. The hourly rates reflect projections based on comprehensive annual salary data and showcase the high demand for skilled electrical engineers in Irvine's competitive job market.
About the Irvine 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) | $42.86 | $342.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.27 | $418.17 |
| Median (P50) | $68.49 | $547.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.68 | $701.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106.17 | $849.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Irvine
Based on $68.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.49/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Irvine, CA can expect to earn approximately $142,463 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,190. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Irvine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Irvine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,739.68 | $11,872 | $142,463 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,643.81 | $7,123 | $85,478 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,095.87 | $4,749 | $56,985 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Irvine) | $68.49 |
| 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 Irvine, CA earn a median of $142,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.95% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 3.90% above the California state average of $137,121.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.49/hr = $85,478/year (purchasing power: $75,577).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,463/year (purchasing power: $125,962).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Irvine grew 22.4% from $53.97/hr (2019) to $66.08/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.99/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 Irvine 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 Irvine
When evaluating the potential annual income for part-time electrical engineers in Irvine, those working three days a week for 24 hours can expect to bring home an impressive income, contrasting sharply with full-time counterparts. Contract work, common in the field, presents lucrative options where per diem electrical engineer pay in Irvine can range from $90 to $170 per hour, while security-cleared defense contractors frequently command rates between $150 and $280 per hour. Specialized consultants in chip design, focusing on areas like signal integrity, might bill at rates as high as $200 to $400 an hour, underscoring the pay premiums associated with specific niches. Different employers influence hourly rates across the region; tech giants such as Apple and NVIDIA typically offer higher compensation compared to utility firms, which provide stability but less cash. Many engineers might accept lower hourly rates for jobs offering health insurance and benefits, balancing immediate income potential with long-term security. For effective negotiations, especially in a city like Irvine, professionals are advised to understand the industry's nuances, emphasizing their unique skills and security clearances, which can significantly enhance their market value.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 Irvine. 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 Irvine 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