Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $50.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Burlington, IA runs $50.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,097 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,061 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burlington, Iowa, electrical engineering professionals can expect an hourly median pay of $50.53, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This hourly rate translates into various employment paths, making it essential for workers in the field to understand their potential earnings. For instance, someone working part-time at three days a week can anticipate significant income while also balancing personal time. Per-diem opportunities in settings like tech labs, semiconductor facilities, or field engineering at utility substations could allow flexibility as well as a competitive salary. Entry-level engineers start at an hourly rate of around $33.78, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $72.86, indicating a diverse landscape for electrical engineer hourly pay in Burlington.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.78 | $270.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.64 | $317.09 |
| Median (P50) | $50.53 | $404.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.51 | $500.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.86 | $582.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $50.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.53/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $105,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,635. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,021.18 | $8,758 | $105,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,212.70 | $5,255 | $63,061 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.47 | $3,503 | $42,040 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Burlington) | $50.53 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $105,097 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.94% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $109,476.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.53/hr = $63,061/year (purchasing power: $69,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,101/year (purchasing power: $116,262).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Burlington grew 22.4% from $39.82/hr (2019) to $48.75/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.37/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Looking at the financial dynamics for part-time and per-diem roles reveals a fascinating picture for electrical engineers in Burlington. A three-day workweek translates to about 24 hours, yielding an annual income of approximately $62,541 based on the median hourly figure, significantly less than a full-time worker. It's also crucial to consider the per-diem and contract labor market: engineers in certain specialized roles, such as security-cleared defense contracting, can generate anywhere from $150 to $280 an hour, while top consultants in the semiconductor space may earn from $200 to $400 per hour. Different employers, ranging from tech giants to defense and utility companies, influence overall pay, with those in cutting-edge semiconductor designs typically commanding a premium. However, many engineers might choose jobs with lower hourly rates due to benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Understanding these trade-offs is essential for negotiating favorable terms unique to Burlington's market.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Burlington?
Are electrical engineers in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Burlington?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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