Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Las Cruces, NM: $47.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Las Cruces, NM runs $47.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Las Cruces's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,736 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Las Cruces, NM, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $47.87. This rate is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $60.11, reflecting the area's unique economic conditions. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this equates to a significant $1,149.84 weekly or approximately $59,000 annually, highlighting an accessible earning potential without the commitment of a full-time role. The range for electrical engineer hourly rates spans from $32.60 at the entry level to approximately $67.17 for those at the top of their field, offering flexibility for various work environments, such as tech company labs, defense contractor facilities, or remote design work. These figures are derived from official BLS data, providing a reliable understanding of what engineers can expect locally.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.60 | $260.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.38 | $307.05 |
| Median (P50) | $47.87 | $382.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.98 | $455.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.17 | $537.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Las Cruces
Based on $47.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.87/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Las Cruces, NM can expect to earn approximately $99,560 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,439. With a cost-of-living index of 90.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Las Cruces.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Las Cruces
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,914.62 | $8,297 | $99,560 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,148.77 | $4,978 | $59,736 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $765.85 | $3,319 | $39,824 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Las Cruces) | $47.87 |
| 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 Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $99,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.37% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 15.60% below the New Mexico state average of $117,969.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.87/hr = $59,736/year (purchasing power: $66,218).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,560/year (purchasing power: $110,363).
CoL index: 90.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Las Cruces grew 2.5% from $45.06/hr (2019) to $46.18/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.61/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 Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces
Exploring the nuances of per diem electrical engineer pay in Las Cruces reveals that working as a contractor may offer higher earnings than traditional hourly roles. While those on standard contracts may earn around $47.87 per hour, highly skilled contract professionals can bill from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized roles in the defense industry or chip design potentially reaching $150 to $400 hourly due to the high demand for expertise and security clearance. Employers like Apple, Intel, or defense contractors often provide a contrasting experience; those in tech typically earn higher hourly rates but may sacrifice benefits, while roles in utilities offer more stability and pension options, albeit at a lower pay scale. Electrical engineers considering the balance between hourly pay and benefits need to weigh the trade-offs carefully and apply strong negotiation tactics, such as emphasizing unique skills or certifications relevant to their potential employer.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 Las Cruces. 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