Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Columbia, MO: $56.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Columbia, MO runs $56.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,493 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbia, Missouri, electrical engineers boast a median hourly pay of $56.00, which is slightly below the national median of $60.11. This wage enables flexibility in part-time or per-diem employment arrangements, where professionals working three days a week can expect to earn a decent income while gaining valuable experience in various settings, such as tech company hardware labs, defense contractor facilities, or semiconductor fabrication clean rooms. The hourly range for electrical engineers in the area starts at $33.38 for entry-level positions and can go as high as $86.81 for seasoned professionals, signaling robust opportunities for skill development and advancement. However, it is important to note that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, so they reflect a balance between competitive compensation and the local job market.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.38 | $267.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.15 | $329.19 |
| Median (P50) | $56.00 | $448.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.68 | $573.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.81 | $694.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $56.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.00/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, MO can expect to earn approximately $116,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,203. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,240.08 | $9,707 | $116,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,344.05 | $5,824 | $69,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $896.03 | $3,883 | $46,594 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Columbia) | $56.00 |
| 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 Columbia, MO earn a median of $116,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.83% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.60% above the Missouri state average of $114,659.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.00/hr = $69,891/year (purchasing power: $78,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,484/year (purchasing power: $130,005).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Columbia grew 38.3% from $39.08/hr (2019) to $54.03/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.05/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
For those considering part-time work, an electrical engineer typically working 24 hours a week could bring home around $43,680 annually, quite a difference compared to full-time wages. Additionally, the per-diem electrical engineer pay in Columbia can range dramatically, with 1099 contractors often billing anywhere from $90 to $170 per hour. Highly specialized roles, such as those requiring security clearance for defense contracting, can command rates from $150 to $280 per hour, while expert consultants in chip design might earn as much as $400 hourly. Different employers offer varying hourly rates; for instance, local tech giants like Intel and Apple tend to have higher pay scales, whereas utility companies may offer lower rates but offset this with benefits. Electrical engineers in Columbia may find themselves weighing the trade-offs of lower hourly rates for stable positions versus potentially lucrative but less secure contract work. When entering negotiations, it's beneficial to understand the specific demands of employers in the area and to be prepared to discuss compensation relative to local industry standards.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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 Columbia. 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 Columbia 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