Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Salina, KS: $52.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Salina, KS runs $52.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,977 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Salina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,984 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Salina, Kansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $52.87, which falls below the national hourly median of $60.11. This discrepancy may impact part-time opportunities, particularly for those opting to work three days a week, as hourly earnings are crucial in fields like semiconductor fabrication and utility engineering. Within the local context, entry-level positions start at approximately $36.75 per hour, while experienced engineers could command rates as high as $76.22. This hourly data is inferred from projected annual salary estimates, thus giving a more nuanced view of compensation in settings like defense contractor work or CAD simulation tasks, where specialized skills can influence pay.
About the Salina 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) | $36.75 | $294.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.51 | $340.05 |
| Median (P50) | $52.87 | $422.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.96 | $519.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.22 | $609.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salina
Based on $52.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.87/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salina, KS can expect to earn approximately $109,973 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,446. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,114.87 | $9,164 | $109,973 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,268.92 | $5,499 | $65,984 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $845.95 | $3,666 | $43,989 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Salina) | $52.87 |
| 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 Salina, KS earn a median of $109,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $113,612.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.87/hr = $65,984/year (purchasing power: $72,590).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,973/year (purchasing power: $120,983).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Salina grew 22.4% from $41.66/hr (2019) to $51.01/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.80/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 Salina 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 Salina
Shifting focus to part-time employment, an electrical engineer working three days a week at 24 hours could see annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, reflecting the variability inherent in the field. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Salina can vary widely, often exceeding the local norms. For instance, contractors billing on a 1099 basis may charge between $90 and $170 per hour, while those engaged in security-cleared defense work might bring in $150 to $280 per hour. Specialized roles, including chip design consultations, can see rates soar up to $400 per hour, especially for expert witness tasks. Engineering pay varies among sector employers in Salina, with tech companies generally offering higher compensation than utilities or government roles. Engineers frequently choose lower hourly pay for benefits, providing a trade-off when negotiating hours and responsibilities. Those working within a firm should carefully consider their bargaining positions to align compensation with both immediate financial needs and long-term career goals, especially in a competitive market like Kansas.
More salary data for Salina, 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 Salina. 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 Salina 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