Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $50.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Rochester, MN runs $50.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,956 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.46. Compared to the national median of $60.11, this figure highlights a notable gap for local professionals in this field. For those engaged in part-time or per-diem work, such as three days a week in tech company labs, the financial implications can be significant. Typical settings include hardware labs with heavy machinery like oscilloscope and soldering benches, or semiconductor fabrication clean rooms that require strict gowning protocols. The hourly wage range in Rochester varies from $40.71 for entry-level positions to $73.51 for top earners, providing opportunities for both fresh graduates and seasoned engineers. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating the economic environment electrical engineers face in their day-to-day work and the broader job market trends.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.71 | $325.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.41 | $379.28 |
| Median (P50) | $50.46 | $403.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.54 | $508.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.51 | $588.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $50.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.46/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $104,950 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,548. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,018.27 | $8,746 | $104,950 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,210.96 | $5,248 | $62,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $807.31 | $3,498 | $41,980 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Rochester) | $50.46 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $104,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.06% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 14.80% below the Minnesota state average of $123,188.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.46/hr = $62,970/year (purchasing power: $69,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,950/year (purchasing power: $115,557).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Rochester grew 8.1% from $45.02/hr (2019) to $48.68/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.30/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Considering part-time scenarios, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual income of about $62,099. When looking at per-diem or contract roles, the reality shifts considerably. Rates can range from $90 to $170 per hour for most contract roles, with specialized areas such as security-cleared defense contracting often exceeding $150 to $280 per hour. Notably, chip design consultants can charge between $200 to $400 per hour, while expert witnesses in patent cases typically earn between $300 and $600 per hour. Each employer type impacts the earning potential; for instance, tech companies like Apple and Intel offer higher compensation compared to utility firms, yet the latter provide benefits like pensions. Many engineers weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly wages with health benefits versus higher rates without. In Rochester, successful negotiations often hinge on understanding these nuances, and new entrants should prepare thoughtfully to maximize their electrical engineer hourly pay.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 Rochester. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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