Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Orange, CA: $64.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Orange, CA runs $64.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,103 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,067 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Orange, California, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected at $64.96, making it considerably higher than the national median of $60.11. This competitive rate allows electrical engineers working part-time, such as those putting in three days per week, to earn a respectable wage, particularly in tech-heavy environments like hardware labs and semiconductor fabrication clean rooms. The hourly pay span ranges from $40.67 for entry-level positions to $99.72 for those at the top of their field, providing opportunities to earn significantly based on experience and specialization. With this impressive earning potential, both part-time and per-diem workers can find lucrative positions that match their skill sets in various sectors, including defense contractor environments and utility engineering roles.
About the Orange 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) | $40.67 | $325.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.80 | $382.43 |
| Median (P50) | $64.96 | $519.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.58 | $660.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99.72 | $797.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Orange
Based on $64.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.96/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Orange, CA can expect to earn approximately $135,112 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,949. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,598.30 | $11,259 | $135,112 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,558.98 | $6,756 | $81,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,039.32 | $4,504 | $54,045 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Orange) | $64.96 |
| 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 Orange, CA earn a median of $135,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 1.50% below the California state average of $137,160.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.96/hr = $81,067/year (purchasing power: $71,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,112/year (purchasing power: $119,462).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Orange grew 22.4% from $51.19/hr (2019) to $62.67/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.33/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 Orange 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 Orange
Analyzing the potential annual take-home for a part-time electrical engineer, one can see substantial differences when compared to full-time earnings. When working 24 hours a week, these professionals can expect to bring home approximately $81,000 annually, still a considerable figure but notably less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Orange can be even more appealing, with various contract opportunities offering rates that can soar to $90-$170 per hour for flexible roles. For those with security clearances—common among defense-related positions—hourly rates rise to anywhere from $150 to $280. Specialized consultants, particularly in semiconductor design, can fetch $200 to $400 hourly, further emphasizing the pay disparity between employer types. Those in large tech firms often choose roles that may offer lower hourly rates but provide benefits like health insurance, while others prefer the higher rates that come without a safety net, highlighting the benefits trade-off. It's vital for electrical engineers in Orange to negotiate effectively, emphasizing their technical expertise and the unique demands of their roles, especially when approaching companies that represent different sectors within the industry.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Orange in 2026?
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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 Orange. 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 Orange 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