Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $48.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Merrillville, IN runs $48.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,124 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For electrical engineers in Merrillville, Indiana, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is $48.18, significantly lower than the national median of $60.11. This hourly rate translates into a compensation structure that can benefit part-time workers, such as those with a schedule of three days per week. Typical work environments range from technical company hardware labs to semiconductor fabrication cleanrooms and field engineering at utility substations. The hourly wage can vary in a substantial way, from an entry-level starting point around $31.35 to top earners making as much as $71.49 in this field. Throughout Merrillville, the pay reflects the area’s specific job market conditions and regional cost of living index, which further influences hourly wage expectations.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.35 | $250.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.16 | $297.27 |
| Median (P50) | $48.18 | $385.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.57 | $484.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.49 | $571.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $48.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.18/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $100,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,812. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,927.06 | $8,351 | $100,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,156.24 | $5,010 | $60,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $770.82 | $3,340 | $40,083 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Merrillville) | $48.18 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $100,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.86% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $104,485.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.18/hr = $60,124/year (purchasing power: $65,854).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,207/year (purchasing power: $109,756).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Merrillville grew 22.4% from $37.96/hr (2019) to $46.48/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.93/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
When assessing the earnings potential for part-time electrical engineers, working a three-day week can yield a substantial income, albeit lower than that of full-time positions. Conversely, per-diem electrical engineer pay opportunities in Merrillville can vary widely. Those working on a contract basis are known to charge rates between $90 and $170, while specialized roles in defense or semiconductor fields can demand premiums of $150 to $400 per hour depending on the complexity and necessity of security clearances. Employers such as major tech companies and respected defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman pay differently based on their specific requirements. Though some engineers choose positions with lower hourly rates for the stability of benefits like health insurance, others may opt for higher-paying contract roles without such perks. Understanding these trade-offs and negotiating effectively can drive decisions towards the most rewarding hourly pay in Merrillville, IN.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
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 Merrillville. 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 Merrillville 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