Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $54.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Fargo, ND runs $54.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,274 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $54.71. This figure is below the national hourly median of $60.11, indicating a regional disparity in compensation. For professionals working in settings such as semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, tech company hardware labs, or remote CAD and simulation environments, this hourly wage enables flexible work arrangements. Part-time engineers, for example, earning $54.71 per hour while working three days a week could expect a substantial weekly paycheck, allowing for economic stability while pursuing various projects. The hourly rate range for electrical engineers in Fargo varies, with entry-level positions starting at about $35.75 and experienced professionals earning up to $68.68, showcasing diverse opportunities across the field.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.75 | $285.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.39 | $315.10 |
| Median (P50) | $54.71 | $437.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.62 | $508.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.68 | $549.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $54.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.71/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $113,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,648. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,188.26 | $9,482 | $113,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,312.96 | $5,689 | $68,274 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $875.30 | $3,793 | $45,516 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Fargo) | $54.71 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $113,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.99% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.10% below the North Dakota state average of $115,063.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.71/hr = $68,274/year (purchasing power: $75,133).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,789/year (purchasing power: $125,221).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Fargo grew 21.8% from $43.32/hr (2019) to $52.78/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.70/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Looking beyond the standard hourly pay, many electrical engineers in Fargo are exploring part-time and per-diem opportunities. A part-time engineer working 24 hours a week could still take home an annual income considerably different from that of their full-time counterparts in comparison to their expected yield. Additionally, per-diem electrical engineer pay in Fargo can vary significantly, often between $90 and $170 per hour, with specialized roles commanding even more—such as security-cleared defense contractors charging upwards of $150 to $280 per hour. In sectors like semiconductor design or defense contracting, the potential for higher earnings exists due to the demand for niche expertise, with some consultants earning between $200 and $400 per hour. Engineers will need to balance their rate with the benefits offered by full-time roles, which may provide health insurance and retirement plans in exchange for lower hourly pay. When negotiating in Fargo, it is wise for electrical engineers to consider their experience and specializations, particularly in fields such as chip design where premium rates are common, ensuring they secure the best compensation possible for their skills.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 Fargo. 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