Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $44.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Missoula, MT runs $44.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,209 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $44.24 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $60.11. This wage is particularly relevant for professionals working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, an engineer working three days a week could expect a significant but variable monthly income, allowing for flexibility in balancing work life and personal commitments. With the hourly rate ranging from $32.17 at the entry level to $64.85 for top earners, individuals can find opportunities across diverse settings, including tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and utility substations, making the local job market attractive to budding electrical engineers. The reliance on official Bureau of Labor Statistics hourly data reinforces the credibility of these projected figures.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.17 | $257.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.80 | $294.37 |
| Median (P50) | $44.24 | $353.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.32 | $418.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.85 | $518.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $44.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.24/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $92,015 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,085. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,769.51 | $7,668 | $92,015 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,061.71 | $4,601 | $55,209 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $707.81 | $3,067 | $36,806 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Missoula) | $44.24 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $92,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.41% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 23.50% below the Montana state average of $120,275.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.24/hr = $55,209/year (purchasing power: $57,244).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,015/year (purchasing power: $95,406).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+97.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Missoula grew 83.4% from $23.27/hr (2019) to $42.68/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.85/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Considering the implications of part-time work, an electrical engineer with a 24-hour weekly schedule may take home a substantial but lesser annual income compared to their full-time peers, given the current local dynamics. For those interested in per-diem arrangements, the landscape is quite lucrative; industry norms suggest that per-diem electrical engineer pay in Missoula can range from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized roles such as security-cleared defense contractor positions bringing in rates as high as $280 per hour. The disparity in hourly rates reflects the diverse employer types in Missoula, from tech giants like Apple and Nvidia to defense contractors such as Boeing. While some engineers may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might prefer higher pay without benefits to maximize earnings in fast-growing fields such as the semiconductor industry. Effective negotiation strategies, particularly in local contexts, involve emphasizing your specialized skills and certifications, which can significantly influence hourly compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
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 Missoula. 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