Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $69.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Los Angeles, CA runs $69.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $144,882 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $61.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $86,927 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Los Angeles can expect a median hourly rate of $69.65, significantly higher than the national median of $60.11. This elevated hourly pay can support part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, allowing them to secure a solid income while pursuing other commitments. Typical working environments for electrical engineers include tech company hardware labs equipped with advanced tools like oscilloscopes and soldering benches, clean rooms in semiconductor fabs, and sensitive compartments at defense contracting sites. Entry-level salaries start around $39.48 per hour, with experienced professionals earning as much as $104.38 per hour, solidifying Los Angeles as a competitive market for electrical engineer hourly pay in CA.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.48 | $315.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.71 | $413.69 |
| Median (P50) | $69.65 | $557.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.46 | $715.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.38 | $835.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $69.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.65/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $144,878 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,583. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,786.11 | $12,073 | $144,878 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,671.67 | $7,244 | $86,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,114.44 | $4,829 | $57,951 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Los Angeles) | $69.65 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $144,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.88% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 5.60% above the California state average of $137,199.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.65/hr = $86,927/year (purchasing power: $76,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $144,878/year (purchasing power: $127,571).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $59.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Los Angeles grew 23.7% from $54.34/hr (2019) to $67.20/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.20/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Within the realm of part-time opportunities, an electrical engineer working a 24-hour week can earn roughly $54,120 annually, while full-time positions can yield a substantially higher salary. For those considering per-diem or contract work, it's not uncommon to see rates ranging from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized skills like security clearance attracting even higher rates of $150 to $280 per hour. Industry employers significantly influence salary ranges; firms in the semiconductor sector, such as Intel and TSMC, often pay a premium, while utility companies like PG&E might offer more stability at lower rates. Some engineers may opt for a lower hourly rate in exchange for health benefits, while others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. As the job market evolves, effective negotiation skills remain critical for those in Los Angeles looking to maximize their electrical engineer hourly rate CA.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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