Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Union, NJ: $69.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Union, NJ runs $69.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $145,410 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Union's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,250 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Union, New Jersey, the projected electrical engineer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $69.91. This rate surpasses the national hourly median of $60.11, reflecting the area's competitive job market and the cost of living index of 115.2. For engineers working part-time—such as three days a week across various settings including tech company hardware labs and utility substations—this hourly pay translates to a solid income, making it appealing for those who prefer flexibility. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn an estimated $43.74 per hour, while top earners in the field can achieve rates as high as $104.44 per hour. These hourly figures have been derived from annual salary estimates and highlight the potential for lucrative earnings, particularly for specialized roles in sectors such as semiconductor design or defense contracting.
About the Union 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) | $43.74 | $349.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.03 | $424.22 |
| Median (P50) | $69.91 | $559.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87.53 | $700.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.44 | $835.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union
Based on $69.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $69.91/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union, NJ can expect to earn approximately $145,417 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $83,894. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,796.48 | $12,118 | $145,417 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,677.89 | $7,271 | $87,250 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,118.59 | $4,847 | $58,167 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Union) | $69.91 |
| 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 Union, NJ earn a median of $145,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $143,970.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $69.91/hr = $87,250/year (purchasing power: $75,738).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $145,417/year (purchasing power: $126,230).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$67.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$69.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $67.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Union grew 22.4% from $55.09/hr (2019) to $67.45/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.46/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 Union 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 Union
Exploring part-time earnings, a 24-hour work week translates into an annual income of roughly $54,490 for electrical engineers in Union, a stark contrast to full-time prospects. Per diem electrical engineer pay in Union varies significantly, with contract work typically billing between $90 and $170 per hour. Security-cleared professionals in defense can command even higher rates—ranging from $150 to $280 per hour—while expert consultants in specialized fields, such as chip design, may charge upwards of $200 to $400 per hour. The compensation landscape differs by employer type; tech companies often offer higher pay compared to utilities, even though utilities might provide benefits like pensions. Engineers may accept lower hourly rates for health insurance or job stability, a trade-off not uncommon in the field. For those in Union, effectively negotiating pay against these variables can significantly impact overall career satisfaction and compensation.
More salary data for Union, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Union in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Union?
Are electrical engineers in Union paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Union?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Union?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Union. 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 Union 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