Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $53.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Iowa City, IA runs $53.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,540 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Electrical engineers in Iowa City, Iowa, receive a median hourly pay of $53.32, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This difference creates a significant consideration for those contemplating part-time work or per-diem roles. Typically working in environments such as tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and defense contractor facilities, engineers in this field can see entry-level positions start around $42.15 per hour, while seasoned professionals or specialists can earn up to $80.67. The hourly pay reflects the competitive job market and helps gauge what engineers can expect when transitioning between various employment types in the Iowa City area.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.15 | $337.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.71 | $397.68 |
| Median (P50) | $53.32 | $426.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.00 | $512.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.67 | $645.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $53.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.32/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $110,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,981. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,132.70 | $9,242 | $110,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,279.62 | $5,545 | $66,540 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $853.08 | $3,697 | $44,360 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Iowa City) | $53.32 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $110,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.30% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.30% above the Iowa state average of $109,482.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.32/hr = $66,540/year (purchasing power: $72,715).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,901/year (purchasing power: $121,191).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Iowa City grew 22.4% from $42.02/hr (2019) to $51.44/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.26/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
For an electrical engineer working part-time at 24 hours per week, the annual take-home pay can vary widely compared to a full-time schedule. Per-diem electrical engineers often find themselves earning significantly more, booking contracts that range from $90 to $170 per hour, depending on the project's demands and the specific skill set required. In Iowa City, security-cleared defense contractors can bill upwards of $150 to $280 per hour, while specialized consultants in chip design might command rates between $200 and $400 per hour. This disparity illustrates the importance of securing a position that aligns with personal financial goals, balanced against the benefits packages that may accompany lower-paying roles. Engineers must also navigate their negotiations wisely; aiming for not just pay but also factors such as health insurance and job stability often shapes their employment choices in the area.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 Iowa City. 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