Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Hays, KS: $51.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Hays, KS runs $51.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,413 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Hays's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,850 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $51.16, which is notably lower than the national average of $60.11. This gap suggests that part-time configurations, such as working three days a week, may present challenges in achieving a competitive full-time salary, especially for those looking to work in specialized settings like semiconductor fabrication or defense contracting. The hourly range for electrical engineers in Hays stretches from $36.52 at the entry-level (P10) to $74.25 for the top 10% of earners (P90), illustrating the potential for significant advancement within the field. As the data is derived from annual salaries, hourly estimates reflect the inherent variations in workload, project demands, and the nuances of work environments that often include high-tech labs or utility substations.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.52 | $292.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.69 | $333.50 |
| Median (P50) | $51.16 | $409.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.70 | $509.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.25 | $594.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hays
Based on $51.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.16/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hays, KS can expect to earn approximately $106,416 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,394. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hays.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hays
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,046.47 | $8,868 | $106,416 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,227.88 | $5,321 | $63,850 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $818.59 | $3,547 | $42,566 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Hays) | $51.16 |
| 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 Hays, KS earn a median of $106,413 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $113,689.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.16/hr = $63,850/year (purchasing power: $70,242).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,416/year (purchasing power: $117,070).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Hays grew 22.4% from $40.32/hr (2019) to $49.36/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.03/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 Hays 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 Hays
Considering part-time work, an electrical engineer on a 24-hour weekly schedule might bring home an income roughly equivalent to $39,872, leaving them well short of full-time earnings. However, the trend towards per-diem or contract work can offer differing scenarios; rates often swing between $90 to $170 per hour for general contract roles, while specialized positions in defense or advanced chip design can command even higher rates, sometimes reaching $600 per hour for expert witness testimony. In Hays, employers vary significantly by sector, with tech firms, defense contractors, and utilities offering distinct hourly pay scales. While companies like Apple and Lockheed Martin may offer premium pay for security-cleared positions, those opting for higher hourly rates without benefits must consider the trade-offs related to healthcare, retirement, and job security, aspects that are sometimes compensating factors for lower hourly pay in stable roles within utilities or traditional engineering consultancies. Understanding these dynamics can aid electrical engineers in navigating compensation effectively, balancing immediate income against long-term career repercussions.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 Hays. 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 Hays 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