Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $50.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Oak Park, IL runs $50.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,893 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,931 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, the hourly compensation for electrical engineers is projected to reach a median of $50.43 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $60.11 per hour. This rate is particularly relevant for professionals considering part-time opportunities across typical settings such as tech company hardware labs and defense contractor facilities. Those working on a part-time basis for three days a week can expect to earn substantial income, enjoying flexibility while engaging in tasks that may involve high-tech equipment, or even remote simulation work. The hourly wage can range from $30.39 for entry-level positions up to $75.47 for those at the top of their game in this field, showcasing the diversity in pay based on experience and specific roles within the electrical engineering sector.
About the Oak Park 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) | $30.39 | $243.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.25 | $321.98 |
| Median (P50) | $50.43 | $403.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.22 | $505.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.47 | $603.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $50.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.43/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $104,886 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,511. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,017.03 | $8,740 | $104,886 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,210.22 | $5,244 | $62,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.81 | $3,496 | $41,954 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Oak Park) | $50.43 |
| 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 Oak Park, IL earn a median of $104,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.11% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $105,632.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.43/hr = $62,931/year (purchasing power: $64,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,886/year (purchasing power: $108,018).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Oak Park grew 22.4% from $39.74/hr (2019) to $48.65/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.27/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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
For part-time electrical engineers in Oak Park working 24 hours a week, annual incomes can vary significantly. While a full-time position offers a steady annual salary, those engaging in per-diem and contract work often see much higher rates. It's not uncommon for per-diem electrical engineer pay in Oak Park to range between $90 and $170 per hour, especially in specialized sectors like chip design or security-cleared defense contracting, where hourly rates can soar to $150-$280 or more. Employers such as Tesla and semiconductor giants like Intel and AMD lead the way in offering competitive compensation. Yet, these roles come with different trade-offs concerning benefits and job stability; engineers may choose lower hourly rates with health insurance to ensure security. Negotiating hourly pay can be vital, and focusing on specific qualifications or project experience can enhance bargaining power in these dynamic job environments.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Oak Park in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Oak Park?
Are electrical engineers in Oak Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Oak Park?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Park?
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 Oak Park. 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 Oak Park 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