Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Northampton, MA: $57.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Northampton, MA runs $57.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,369 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Northampton's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,624 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an electrical engineer hourly pay of $57.39 in Northampton, Massachusetts, professionals in this field earn slightly less than the national median of $60.11. This rate is particularly relevant for those seeking part-time employment or per-diem opportunities, common in environments like tech company hardware labs and defense contractor facilities where specialized skills are applied. Workers in these settings can expect a compensation range from $38.63 (entry-level) to $85.07 (top earners). The disparity in hourly pay highlights the variations stemming from experience, specialization, and the type of organization, whether in high-tech semiconductor fabs or traditional utility engineering roles. Given the growing demand for engineers in both the automotive and semiconductor industries, this profession offers a range of opportunities that can be tailored to individual work preferences and lifestyle choices.
About the Northampton Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.63 | $309.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.39 | $363.11 |
| Median (P50) | $57.39 | $459.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.92 | $575.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.07 | $680.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northampton
Based on $57.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.39/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northampton, MA can expect to earn approximately $119,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,869. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Northampton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northampton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,295.64 | $9,948 | $119,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,377.38 | $5,969 | $71,624 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $918.26 | $3,979 | $47,749 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Northampton) | $57.39 |
| 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 Northampton, MA earn a median of $119,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $123,442.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.39/hr = $71,624/year (purchasing power: $66,013).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,373/year (purchasing power: $110,021).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Northampton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Northampton grew 22.4% from $45.23/hr (2019) to $55.37/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.49/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 Northampton 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 Northampton
A part-time electrical engineer working three days a week, clocking in roughly 24 hours, can anticipate a significantly reduced annual earning potential in comparison to their full-time counterparts. For instance, while the regular hourly rate factors heavily into longer-term earnings, per-diem or contract work can offer lucrative alternate routes; rates for 1099 positions often range from $90-$170, with highly specialized consultants in chip design or expertise in security-cleared defense roles commanding even higher pay, from $150 up to $400 per hour. Electrical engineers in Northampton might move between sectors like tech and utilities, balancing pay scales with benefits. Many still opt for lower hourly rates for stability and health insurance, especially when working for utility companies, which may lag behind tech in pay but offer pensions and job security. For those negotiating hourly rates in this market, being clear about the value of certifications, such as PE or FE licenses, can make a difference in achieving a favorable outcome.
More salary data for Northampton, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Northampton in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Northampton?
Are electrical engineers in Northampton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Northampton?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Northampton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 Northampton. 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 Northampton 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