Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $55.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Lawrence, KS runs $55.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,927 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,959 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lawrence, Kansas, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $55.26 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $60.11. For professionals working part-time at approximately three days a week, this translates into a significant annual income that may suit many lifestyles and family commitments. Per-diem workers in various settings, from tech company hardware labs to semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, can expect to find realistic earning potential within the hourly range of $33.33 at the lower end to $82.73 for top earners. This range illustrates the diversity of roles available, with variation depending on specific sectors and experience levels. While the estimated hourly rates stem from annual salary data, they highlight the opportunities for engineers, whether they are newly entering the field or becoming specialized experts in high-demand domains.
About the Lawrence 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) | $33.33 | $266.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.12 | $352.99 |
| Median (P50) | $55.26 | $442.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.29 | $554.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.73 | $661.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $55.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.26/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $114,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,307. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,210.23 | $9,578 | $114,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,326.14 | $5,747 | $68,959 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $884.09 | $3,831 | $45,973 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Lawrence) | $55.26 |
| 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 Lawrence, KS earn a median of $114,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.10% above the Kansas state average of $113,677.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.26/hr = $68,959/year (purchasing power: $75,863).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,932/year (purchasing power: $126,438).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lawrence grew 22.4% from $43.54/hr (2019) to $53.31/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.27/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
The earning potential for part-time electrical engineers in Lawrence is substantial when calculated over a three-day workweek, bringing in around $42,000 annually against full-time counterparts. For per-diem positions or those taking on contract roles, the scenarios differ greatly. Some per diem electrical engineer pay in Lawrence may rise to as much as $170 per hour, particularly for specialized or cleared contractors in defense roles, while consulting roles in advanced fields like chip design can demand even higher rates, with experts charging between $200 to $400 per hour. These discrepancies are not merely about hourly pay but reflect the type of employer as well; roles in tech companies like Apple or Nvidia typically command higher rates compared to traditional utilities, which might offer more stability but lower cash compensation. In addition, it's essential for engineers to consider the benefits trade-off; accepting a lower hourly rate for companies providing health insurance and retirement plans versus freelance work at higher hourly rates could weigh heavily on long-term financial security. To maximize compensation, engineers should focus on negotiation strategies tailored to their field and local market, ensuring they advocate effectively for their worth within Lawrence's evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 Lawrence. 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 Lawrence 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