Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Newport Beach, CA: $64.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Newport Beach, CA runs $64.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,166 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Newport Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,498 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newport Beach, CA, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at a competitive $64.50. This figure is notably higher than the national hourly median of $60.11, reflecting the area's robust tech industry and cost-of-living factors. For part-time engineers working three days a week, this rate translates to meaningful income in specialized environments such as hardware labs, clean rooms in semiconductor fabs, and defense contractor facilities. Those who might work per diem in this profession can expect pay ranging from approximately $42.52 to $98.74 per hour, which allows for flexibility and can accommodate varying career phases, from entry-level to experienced professionals seeking top rates. These rates are derived from comprehensive estimates based on annual salary data, illustrating a rewarding market for electrical engineers in this coastal city.
About the Newport Beach 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) | $42.52 | $340.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.34 | $402.74 |
| Median (P50) | $64.50 | $516.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.18 | $657.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.74 | $789.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newport Beach
Based on $64.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.50/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newport Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $134,163 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,402. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newport Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newport Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,580.06 | $11,180 | $134,163 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,548.03 | $6,708 | $80,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,032.02 | $4,472 | $53,665 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Newport Beach) | $64.50 |
| 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 Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $134,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.30% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 2.20% below the California state average of $137,184.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.50/hr = $80,498/year (purchasing power: $71,174).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,163/year (purchasing power: $118,623).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$50.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Newport Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Newport Beach grew 22.4% from $50.83/hr (2019) to $62.23/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.86/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 Newport Beach 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 Newport Beach
Considering part-time opportunities, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, but with the flexibility of work-life balance. Per-diem roles are particularly lucrative, with billing rates often reaching as high as $280 per hour for defense contractors and even upwards of $400 for chip design consultants specializing in critical areas like signal integrity. Different employers across Newport Beach, from tech titans like Apple and Nvidia to defense firms like Lockheed Martin, offer varied hourly rates that reflect their specific needs and project demands. Electrical engineers often face a trade-off between higher hourly rates in agency work, which may not include benefits, versus steady employment at a lower pay rate with comprehensive health plans. Understanding this dynamic is pivotal for negotiating salaries; it’s advisable for electrical engineers to express flexibility regarding work arrangements, given the competitive nature of the field.
More salary data for Newport Beach, 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 Newport Beach. 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 Newport Beach 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