Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $51.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Joplin, MO runs $51.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,376 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Joplin's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,824 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Joplin, Missouri, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at $51.14, trailing the national median of $60.11. This wage translates well for part-time and per-diem positions, often found in environments such as tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and remote hybrid CAD simulation tasks. For those working three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a flexible, yet substantial income, reflecting the industry’s dynamic nature. The hourly range for electrical engineers in Joplin varies widely, starting from approximately $36.70 for entry-level positions to $66.71 for top earners. These figures, drawn from official BLS hourly data, highlight the opportunities available in different sectors, including defense, utilities, and technology.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.70 | $293.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.35 | $330.77 |
| Median (P50) | $51.14 | $409.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.69 | $501.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.71 | $533.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joplin
Based on $51.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.14/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joplin, MO can expect to earn approximately $106,373 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,369. With a cost-of-living index of 85.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joplin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joplin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,045.64 | $8,864 | $106,373 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,227.38 | $5,319 | $63,824 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $818.25 | $3,546 | $42,549 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Joplin) | $51.14 |
| 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 Joplin, MO earn a median of $106,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 7.20% below the Missouri state average of $114,629.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.14/hr = $63,824/year (purchasing power: $74,458).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,373/year (purchasing power: $124,097).
CoL index: 85.718 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Joplin grew 22.4% from $40.30/hr (2019) to $49.34/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.01/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 Joplin 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 Joplin
Looking deeper into the earnings potential for a part-time electrical engineer in Joplin reveals a stark contrast to full-time income. Working a 24-hour week at the prevailing rate allows for a take-home of about $40,000 annually. However, many choose per-diem or contract work, where billing rates average between $90 and $170 per hour, significantly boosting their earnings potential. Professionals with security clearances, especially in defense contracting, can command between $150 and $280 per hour. This segmented pay scale is reflective of the employer type—tech giants, defense contractors, and utilities offer varying compensation models in Joplin. Engineers sometimes accept lower hourly wages with benefits for job security, whereas others prefer higher pay without benefits for flexibility. Negotiation strategies in Joplin should emphasize not just hourly pay but also the total compensation package, factoring in work conditions and the potential for future career advancement in high-demand specializations.
More salary data for Joplin, 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 Joplin. 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, 5-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