Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $67.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Berkeley, NJ runs $67.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,109 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,663 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Berkeley, NJ, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $67.84, significantly higher than the national average of $60.11. This favorable hourly rate reflects the robust demand for electrical engineers in diverse settings such as tech companies, utilities, and defense contractors. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this means a solid income that can support a comfortable lifestyle, particularly when combined with flexible work arrangements in environments that range from semiconductor fabrication clean rooms to remote simulation tasks. The hourly pay for these roles varies considerably, starting from $42.67 for entry-level positions to $103.61 for experienced engineers, indicating a broad spectrum of opportunities within the field.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.67 | $341.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.44 | $411.53 |
| Median (P50) | $67.84 | $542.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82.87 | $662.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.61 | $828.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $67.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.84/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $141,105 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,407. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,713.56 | $11,759 | $141,105 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,628.13 | $7,055 | $84,663 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,085.42 | $4,703 | $56,442 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Berkeley) | $67.84 |
| 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 Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $141,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $143,989.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.84/hr = $84,663/year (purchasing power: $73,492).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,105/year (purchasing power: $122,487).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Berkeley grew 22.4% from $53.46/hr (2019) to $65.45/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.32/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
For those considering part-time work: an electrical engineer putting in 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home that still surpasses many full-time roles, especially if focusing on high-demand per-diem opportunities. Per diem electrical engineer pay in Berkeley typically falls between $90 and $170 per hour, especially for contract roles with defense contractors that often command even higher fees, particularly for those with security clearance. Notably, specialized consultants can charge $200 to $400 per hour, showcasing the potential financial upsides compared to salaried positions, which typically offer benefits at the cost of pay. In Berkeley, employers in the tech sector and leading semiconductor firms yield the highest hourly figures, while utility roles might lean lower but often provide job stability and benefits that can make a difference in overall compensation. Negotiating approaches that emphasize specific skill sets or credentials, like the PE license, can enhance pay dynamics for electrical engineers aiming to maximize their hourly rate.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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