Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Ithaca, NY: $52.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Ithaca, NY runs $52.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Ithaca's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,816 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ithaca, NY, electrical engineers command a median hourly pay of $52.74, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $60.11. This discrepancy can be a consideration for both full-time and part-time roles within various sectors such as tech companies, defense contractors, and utilities. Engineers working part-time, say 24 hours a week, can expect to earn roughly $63,000 annually, while per-diem workers find opportunities in environments requiring specialized skills, like semiconductor fabs or utility substations, earning less but still within a respectable hourly range. The breadth of hourly pay varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $41.05 and top earners reaching up to $81.08, as noted in the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflective of the unique employment ecosystem in Ithaca.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.05 | $328.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.95 | $359.62 |
| Median (P50) | $52.74 | $421.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.68 | $509.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.08 | $648.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ithaca
Based on $52.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.74/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ithaca, NY can expect to earn approximately $109,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,285. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ithaca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ithaca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,109.48 | $9,141 | $109,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,265.69 | $5,485 | $65,816 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $843.79 | $3,656 | $43,877 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Ithaca) | $52.74 |
| 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 Ithaca, NY earn a median of $109,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% below the New York state average of $109,813.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.74/hr = $65,816/year (purchasing power: $63,703).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,693/year (purchasing power: $106,172).
CoL index: 103.317 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Ithaca grew 45.3% from $35.01/hr (2019) to $50.88/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.66/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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
While the standard hourly earnings present a solid baseline, part-time opportunities alongside per-diem electrical engineer pay in Ithaca can significantly enhance total compensation. Professionals engaged in 1099 contract work frequently bill rates that range from $90 to $170 per hour, with security-cleared defense contractors commanding even higher rates due to the critical nature of their work, often between $150 and $280. Chip design consultants may even reach rates of $200 to $400 for specialized tasks. The choice of employer also greatly influences pay; top firms in the semiconductor industry such as Apple or Nvidia tend to offer better compensation than utility companies, which might prioritize benefits like health insurance over higher pay rates. The trade-off is evident—some engineers might accept lower hourly pay for the stability of employment benefits, while others chase higher pay rates through contract work. Solid negotiation strategies tailored for hourly positions often focus on demonstrating unique skills or certifications, particularly when it comes to lucrative specializations in electrical engineering.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 Ithaca. 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, 6-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