Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Southfield, MI: $50.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Southfield, MI runs $50.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,166 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Southfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,099 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Southfield, Michigan, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.56, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This hourly pay reflects the local economic landscape, allowing those in the field to make informed decisions about their work arrangements. With an estimated range of $30.79 for entry-level positions to $78.37 for those at the top of the pay scale, this profession can offer substantial hourly earnings. For part-time workers—say, those engaged for three days a week—this translates into flexible earning potential while working in various environments such as technology company labs, utility substations, or defense contractor facilities. Additionally, this median rate forms the basis for calculating per-diem opportunities, emphasizing how electrical engineer hourly pay in Southfield aligns with industry standards.
About the Southfield Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.79 | $246.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.60 | $300.83 |
| Median (P50) | $50.56 | $404.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.72 | $517.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.37 | $626.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Southfield
Based on $50.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.56/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Southfield, MI can expect to earn approximately $105,166 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,673. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Southfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Southfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,022.42 | $8,764 | $105,166 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,213.45 | $5,258 | $63,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.97 | $3,506 | $42,066 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Southfield) | $50.56 |
| 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 Southfield, MI earn a median of $105,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $105,483.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.56/hr = $63,099/year (purchasing power: $67,703).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,166/year (purchasing power: $112,839).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Southfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Southfield grew 22.4% from $39.84/hr (2019) to $48.78/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.41/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 Southfield 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 Southfield
Considering part-time roles, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week can take home a substantial annual income, albeit less than a full-time counterpart. Per diem electrical engineer pay in Southfield often sees contract workers billing anywhere from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized roles further skewing earnings upward; for example, chip design consultants can negotiate rates as high as $400 per hour. Hourly variations also depend significantly on employer types in Southfield, where tech giants within the semiconductor industry typically offer higher compensation than traditional utility firms. Yet, the trade-off between lower hourly rates coupled with benefits versus higher pay without insurance is a common dilemma for many professionals in the field. Understanding these nuances is crucial for negotiating hourly contracts in an evolving market, particularly for engineers aiming to balance financial goals with employment stability.
More salary data for Southfield, MI:
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 Southfield. 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 Southfield 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