Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $52.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Lancaster, PA runs $52.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,428 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $52.43. This figure reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median hourly rate of $60.11. For those working part-time in typical environments, such as tech company hardware labs or semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, this hourly rate translates to substantial take-home pay, even while only working three days a week. Entry-level engineers may start as low as $37.40 per hour, while top earners can see rates climb to approximately $80.27. These statistics are based on the latest 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, providing insights into the evolving landscape of electrical engineer hourly pay in Lancaster.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.40 | $299.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.98 | $327.87 |
| Median (P50) | $52.43 | $419.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.98 | $527.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.27 | $642.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $52.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.43/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $109,046 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,911. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,097.05 | $9,087 | $109,046 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,258.23 | $5,452 | $65,428 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $838.82 | $3,635 | $43,619 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Lancaster) | $52.43 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $109,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.78% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $108,941.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.43/hr = $65,428/year (purchasing power: $66,588).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,046/year (purchasing power: $110,981).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lancaster grew 9.1% from $46.36/hr (2019) to $50.58/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.34/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
For engineers considering part-time roles, working as a per diem electrical engineer in Lancaster reveals an intriguing earning potential. A professional working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $54,414 annually, which is considerably less than if employed full-time. Agency or locum roles can significantly enhance these figures, with per diem billing often ranging from $90 to $170 per hour. For specialized projects, such as those in chip design or defense contracting, rates can soar to between $150 and $400 hourly, depending on the complexity and requisite security clearances. While hourly pay from utility companies and established firms like Tesla may be lower due to stability and benefits, the trade-off is significant and drives some engineers to pursue higher-paid contract options. Effective negotiation strategies specific to the Lancaster market focus on understanding the employer’s budget and leveraging skills across sectors, from automotive to semiconductor industries, ensuring engineers maximize their pay potential.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Lancaster?
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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 Lancaster. 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