Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Ames, IA: $51.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Ames, IA runs $51.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,537 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Ames's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,522 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ames, Iowa, the hourly pay for electrical engineers stands at a median of $51.70, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $60.11. This hourly rate can provide a solid foundation for part-time work, such as those engaged three days a week, who might enjoy flexibility while earning reasonable compensation. In typical work environments, including tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and remote CAD or simulation roles, electrical engineers can expect hourly rates to vary widely across their career ranges. Entry-level positions start at around $34.86, while top earners in the field can command up to $74.40 per hour. These figures, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), illustrate not just the earning potential but also the variety of professional settings where electrical engineers apply their skills.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.86 | $278.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.44 | $331.51 |
| Median (P50) | $51.70 | $413.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.66 | $509.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.40 | $595.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ames
Based on $51.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.70/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ames, IA can expect to earn approximately $107,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,041. With a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ames.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ames
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,068.02 | $8,961 | $107,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,240.81 | $5,377 | $64,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $827.21 | $3,585 | $43,015 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Ames) | $51.70 |
| 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 Ames, IA earn a median of $107,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.99% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.80% below the Iowa state average of $109,508.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.70/hr = $64,522/year (purchasing power: $72,636).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,537/year (purchasing power: $121,060).
CoL index: 88.83 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Ames grew 22.4% from $40.74/hr (2019) to $49.88/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.59/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 Ames 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 Ames
When exploring earning potential, a part-time electrical engineer working 24 hours per week could bring home about $40,000 annually, demonstrating a stark contrast with full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. For those considering per-diem or contract work, hourly rates can escalate dramatically, with per diem electrical engineer pay in Ames often billed between $90 and $170. Certain specialized roles, especially in defense or chip design, can push rates into the $150-$400 range, reflecting the high demand for expertise in those areas. Employment opportunities can vary significantly depending on the type of employer, from tech giants like Intel to utility companies that generally offer more job security but less competitive pay. Engineers in Ames should carefully evaluate the balance between hourly pay and benefits, as some may choose standard employment for health coverage while others pursue higher hourly rates without benefits. Strategic negotiation around these rates can help electrical engineers maximize their compensation in the local job market, particularly given Ames’ unique position within the state's technology and engineering sectors.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 Ames. 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, 3-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