Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $50.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $50.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,423 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for electrical engineers is set at $50.82 for 2026, reflecting a notable difference when contrasted with the national median of $60.11. This hourly rate opens avenues for both part-time professionals and per-diem roles, often found in settings such as tech company hardware labs or utility substations. For those working a standard three-day week, this equates to approximately 24 hours of work, making flexible schedules attractive in a demanding field. Entry-level engineers in Council Bluffs may start around $32.27 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $76.50, showcasing a diverse earning range based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from annual salary data, indicate the varying financial trajectories available to electrical engineers within this region.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $32.27 | $258.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.90 | $311.20 |
| Median (P50) | $50.82 | $406.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.05 | $520.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.50 | $612.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $50.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.82/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $105,705 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,984. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,032.78 | $8,809 | $105,705 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,219.67 | $5,285 | $63,423 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.11 | $3,523 | $42,282 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Council Bluffs) | $50.82 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $105,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.46% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $109,424.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.82/hr = $63,423/year (purchasing power: $70,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,705/year (purchasing power: $116,930).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Council Bluffs grew 22.4% from $40.05/hr (2019) to $49.03/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.67/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
Considering part-time potential, an electrical engineer working three days a week can anticipate an annual take-home amount substantially lower than a full-time counterpart. Full-time roles generally lead to more consistent income, whereas part-time slots are often supplemented through per-diem positions, which may provide rates between $90 and $170 per hour. In specialized sectors such as defense contracting or semiconductor design, these numbers can swell dramatically, with rates commensurate to skill and security clearance requirements often yielding $150 to $280, and consulting roles pushing fees even higher. Employers in Council Bluffs vary widely—tech companies at the forefront of chip design tend to significantly outpace utility firms in hourly compensation. However, the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits like health insurance versus higher pay without these perks can be a critical factor in career decisions. For electrical engineers negotiating hourly pay, understanding the local job market and the specific demands of each employer type can enhance bargaining power.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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