Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lancaster, CA: $67.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Lancaster, CA runs $67.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,945 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,964 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, California, electrical engineers command a competitive hourly pay of $67.28, significantly exceeding the national median hourly rate of $60.11. This wage structure allows for lucrative opportunities, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week, or per-diem electrical engineers engaged in specialized tasks in various settings such as tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, or defense contractor facilities. The hourly pay range in Lancaster varies widely, from $40.55 for entry-level positions to as high as $104.28 for top earners, reflecting the skills and experience required in this fast-evolving field. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, underscore the robust potential of the electrical engineering sector in Lancaster, especially with its ties to high-demand industries like technology and defense.
About the Lancaster 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) | $40.55 | $324.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.77 | $398.18 |
| Median (P50) | $67.28 | $538.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.31 | $674.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.28 | $834.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $67.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.28/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, CA can expect to earn approximately $139,941 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,735. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,691.17 | $11,662 | $139,941 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,614.70 | $6,997 | $83,964 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,076.47 | $4,665 | $55,976 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Lancaster) | $67.28 |
| 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 Lancaster, CA earn a median of $139,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 2.00% above the California state average of $137,201.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.28/hr = $83,964/year (purchasing power: $74,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,941/year (purchasing power: $123,732).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lancaster grew 22.4% from $53.02/hr (2019) to $64.91/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.73/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
In the context of part-time employment, an electrical engineer working a typical 24-hour week can anticipate an annual income of around $83,385, compared to their full-time counterparts who may earn considerably more. For those considering per-diem contracts, the pay rate can ramp up considerably, with common billable rates ranging from $90 to $170 per hour, and specialized project work in areas like defense or semiconductor design potentially yielding $200 to $400 per hour. Employers such as intel and Tesla often offer varying pay scales based on project requirements, with benefits packages influencing decisions. Engineers might choose to accept lower hourly rates for job stability and health insurance instead of pursuing higher pay without benefits. In Lancaster, practical negotiation strategies for hourly workers include emphasizing technical certifications and experience, particularly when engaging with companies in the tech and defense sectors, where demand for specialized skills remains high.
More salary data for Lancaster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Lancaster?
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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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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