Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $50.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Gurnee, IL runs $50.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,127 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,479 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $50.06, electrical engineers in Gurnee, Illinois, earn less than their counterparts nationally, where the median hourly rate stands at $60.11. For those working part-time—such as a typical schedule of three days a week—this translates to approximately $39,605 annually, a figure that may influence individuals considering their employment options in various engineering environments. In typical settings including tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and utility field engineering, hourly rates for electrical engineers can vary significantly; entry-level positions may offer around $32.19, while experienced professionals can see earnings that reach up to $72.18 per hour. This range reflects the broader compensation dynamics within Gurnee's job market, particularly as it aligns with the growing demand for skilled engineers in both the tech and utility sectors.
About the Gurnee 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) | $32.19 | $257.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.32 | $306.56 |
| Median (P50) | $50.06 | $400.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.51 | $492.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.18 | $577.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $50.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.06/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $104,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,076. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,002.52 | $8,678 | $104,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,201.51 | $5,207 | $62,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $801.01 | $3,471 | $41,652 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Gurnee) | $50.06 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $104,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.72% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $105,712.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.06/hr = $62,479/year (purchasing power: $64,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,131/year (purchasing power: $107,241).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Gurnee grew 22.4% from $39.45/hr (2019) to $48.30/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.89/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
Evaluating part-time potential, an electrical engineer working a three-day schedule in Gurnee might see their income reaching an estimated $39,605 per year compared to full-time roles which yield significantly higher annual figures. Moreover, the landscape for per-diem electrical engineers in the area can dramatically shift the earnings treadmill; contract roles often bill between $90 and $170 per hour, and those in high-security environments may command even more—from $150 to $280 hourly. Specialized areas such as chip design consulting see rates skyrocket, with some professionals earning as much as $400 per hour. These variances illustrate how important it is for engineers in Gurnee to assess employer types—ranging from tech companies like Apple and Nvidia to defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman—and make informed decisions about their employment strategy, considering trade-offs between higher hourly rates and additional benefits like health insurance. Negotiation tactics such as emphasizing relevant credentials, understanding local market demands, and aligning salary expectations with job responsibilities can help strike a balance that reflects the individual’s worth in this competitive field.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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