Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Crystal Lake, IL: $48.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Crystal Lake, IL runs $48.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,617 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Crystal Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,370 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Crystal Lake, Illinois, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $48.37, significantly lower than the national median of $60.11. For those considering part-time work or per-diem positions, this rate may influence decisions on employment settings that range from tech company hardware labs to utility field engineering. With an hourly range from $32.37 to $72.94, entry-level engineers can expect lower compensation, while highly experienced professionals may command higher pay in specialized environments like semiconductor fabrication clean rooms or sensitive defense contractor facilities. As the industry trends toward flexible work arrangements, understanding the financial implications of hourly pay in various engineering contexts becomes essential for workers in Crystal Lake.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.37 | $258.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.96 | $303.65 |
| Median (P50) | $48.37 | $386.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.38 | $491.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.94 | $583.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Crystal Lake
Based on $48.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.37/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Crystal Lake, IL can expect to earn approximately $100,617 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,048. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Crystal Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Crystal Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,934.94 | $8,385 | $100,617 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,160.96 | $5,031 | $60,370 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $773.98 | $3,354 | $40,247 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Crystal Lake) | $48.37 |
| 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 Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $100,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.53% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $105,690.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.37/hr = $60,370/year (purchasing power: $62,173).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,617/year (purchasing power: $103,622).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Crystal Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Crystal Lake grew 22.4% from $38.12/hr (2019) to $46.67/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.14/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 Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake
For a part-time electrical engineer working three days a week (24 hours), the annual income can significantly differ from a full-time salary, highlighting the need for strategic financial planning. Contract or per-diem work often presents lucrative opportunities, with billing rates for per diem electrical engineers in Crystal Lake ranging drastically from $90 to $170 per hour. Security-cleared positions in defense contracting can push hourly earnings to $150-$280, while specialized consultants in chip design might see rates as high as $200-$400. Different employers reflect varying pay scales; while tech giants like Apple and Nvidia offer premium salaries, traditional utility and power companies may lag in cash compensation but provide stability through pensions. Many professionals must weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without insurance. For those negotiating their pay, being aware of the local industry standards and their unique skills can provide leverage in securing better terms, whether they are pursuing positions in engineering consulting or semiconductor development in Crystal Lake.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, IL:
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 Crystal Lake. 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 Crystal Lake 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