Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $56.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Chicago, IL runs $56.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,663 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, Illinois, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $56.57, which is slightly below the national median of $60.11. This wage reflects the economic environment and demand for electrical engineers in various sectors, including tech labs, utility fields, and defense. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates into a solid foundation for earning potential, even if it means balancing on-site responsibilities in semiconductor clean rooms or hybrid environments like CAD simulations. Entry-level engineers might earn around $38.20 per hour, while top earners can see rates as high as $82.66, showcasing a broad spectrum of opportunity within this profession in 2026.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.20 | $305.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.01 | $368.08 |
| Median (P50) | $56.57 | $452.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.94 | $535.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.66 | $661.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $56.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.57/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $117,670 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,887. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,262.89 | $9,806 | $117,670 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,357.73 | $5,884 | $70,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $905.15 | $3,922 | $47,068 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Chicago) | $56.57 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $117,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 11.40% above the Illinois state average of $105,623.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.57/hr = $70,602/year (purchasing power: $68,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,670/year (purchasing power: $113,587).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Chicago grew 18.2% from $46.17/hr (2019) to $54.58/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.64/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Exploring the earnings potential for part-time electrical engineers in Chicago reveals distinct benefits. For instance, working 24 hours a week at the median rate would provide an annual income significantly less than full-time counterparts, valued at about $44,448. However, some engineers might pursue per-diem contracts at rates of $90 to $170 per hour, particularly in fields like defense contracting, where cleared positions can command $150 to $280 hourly. The semiconductor industry, known for its competitive compensation, offers niche roles that may bill at $200 to $400 per hour for specialized design work. Negotiating these rates can hinge on the employer type, with tech firms typically offering higher pay compared to utilities, which may provide benefits like pensions but lower hourly earnings. Electrical engineers must weigh the allure of higher hourly compensation against the security of full-time positions that include health benefits—an ongoing trade-off that defines career choices in this field.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Chicago in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Chicago?
Are electrical engineers in Chicago paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Chicago?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Chicago?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Chicago. 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