Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Steamboat Springs, CO: $55.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Steamboat Springs, CO runs $55.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,085 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Steamboat Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,645 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Steamboat Springs, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at $55.81. This figure reflects a regional trend that is approximately 7.16% lower than the national hourly median of $60.11. For part-time electrical engineers working three days a week, this translates to an annual income of about $43,800, representing a substantial potential for anyone seeking flexible work arrangements. Typical settings for these professionals often include tech company hardware labs equipped with oscilloscopes and soldering benches, as well as semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, where gowning procedures are mandatory. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn around $35.82 per hour, while top earners may reach $81.75, emphasizing the wide range of pay based on experience and specialization.
About the Steamboat Springs Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.82 | $286.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.97 | $367.75 |
| Median (P50) | $55.81 | $446.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.94 | $543.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.75 | $653.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Steamboat Springs
Based on $55.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.81/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Steamboat Springs, CO can expect to earn approximately $116,075 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,966. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Steamboat Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Steamboat Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,232.21 | $9,673 | $116,075 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,339.32 | $5,804 | $69,645 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $892.88 | $3,869 | $46,430 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Steamboat Springs) | $55.81 |
| 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 Steamboat Springs, CO earn a median of $116,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.16% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.70% below the Colorado state average of $123,102.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.81/hr = $69,645/year (purchasing power: $66,328).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,075/year (purchasing power: $110,547).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Steamboat Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Steamboat Springs grew 22.4% from $43.98/hr (2019) to $53.84/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.84/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 Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs
Considering the earning potential, part-time work allows electrical engineers in Steamboat Springs to pursue multiple projects, significantly enhancing their professional experience. A 24-hour workweek could net an annual take-home pay of approximately $43,800 compared to full-time earnings, which typically benefit from increased job stability and benefits packages. For per-diem or contract electrical engineers, rates can be much higher, ranging from $90 to $280 per hour, particularly in specialized fields like cleared defense contracting or chip design consulting. Working full-time in established companies, such as Tesla or Intel, usually offers health insurance and retirement plans, though the compensation might be lower compared to contract positions. Engineers should consider negotiating their pay based on desired benefits, and those in Steamboat Springs might focus on comparing job roles across sectors to find the best fit for both salary and work-life balance.
More salary data for Steamboat Springs, CO:
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 Steamboat Springs. 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 Steamboat Springs 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