Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Pocatello, ID: $55.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Pocatello, ID runs $55.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Pocatello's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,649 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pocatello, Idaho, the 2026 median hourly pay for electrical engineers is projected at $55.01, which falls below the national median of $60.11. This figure provides insight into the typical earnings for part-time and per-diem workers in various engineering settings, such as tech company hardware labs, clean rooms in semiconductor manufacturing, sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) in defense contracting, and field engineering at utility substations. Entry-level electrical engineers may earn approximately $31.49 per hour, while the top 10% of earners can command rates around $77.56, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. These figures highlight the range of earnings available to those in the profession, reflecting both experience levels and specialized skills.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.49 | $251.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.04 | $408.30 |
| Median (P50) | $55.01 | $440.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.73 | $517.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.56 | $620.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pocatello
Based on $55.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.01/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pocatello, ID can expect to earn approximately $114,415 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,008. With a cost-of-living index of 88.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pocatello.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pocatello
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,200.28 | $9,535 | $114,415 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,320.17 | $5,721 | $68,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $880.11 | $3,814 | $45,766 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Pocatello) | $55.01 |
| 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 Pocatello, ID earn a median of $114,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.50% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.00% below the Idaho state average of $119,176.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.01/hr = $68,649/year (purchasing power: $77,215).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,415/year (purchasing power: $128,692).
CoL index: 88.906 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Pocatello grew 22.4% from $43.35/hr (2019) to $53.07/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.01/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 Pocatello 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 Pocatello
When considering the financial landscape for part-time electrical engineers in Pocatello, working three days a week can yield substantial annual earnings, especially compared to full-time peers. For instance, an engineer logging 24 hours weekly at the median rate would bring home an annual income significantly lower than that of full-timers, making it crucial to weigh the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Pocatello can vary widely, with contract roles often billing anywhere from $90 to $170 per hour, and specialized areas like chip design or defense work yielding even higher rates, sometimes reaching $400 per hour or more. Beyond traditional employment, those working as consultants or contractors can negotiate higher wages, but this can come at the cost of job stability and benefits. Engineers should also be aware of the varying rates across employer types, as tech companies typically offer higher pay compared to utilities, while roles in the semiconductor industry, particularly with major players like Nvidia or Intel, command a significant premium. Understanding these dynamics can aid in making informed career decisions and salary negotiations in the Pocatello area.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Pocatello in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Pocatello?
Are electrical engineers in Pocatello paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Pocatello?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Pocatello?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Idaho
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 Pocatello. 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, 3-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