Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $52.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $52.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,299 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the electrical engineer hourly pay in Pittsburgh is projected to reach a median of $52.32, which is notably below the national median of $60.11. This figure not only represents the average pay for full-time engineers working in diverse settings—from tech company laboratories equipped with oscilloscopes to semiconductor fabrication clean rooms—but also highlights earnings for part-time or per-diem professionals. Those working three days a week may expect earnings around $37,000 annually based on a 24-hour workweek while also having additional flexible work options. In Pittsburgh, the hourly wage range for electrical engineers spans from $38.93 at the 10th percentile, indicating entry-level positions, to $78.44 at the 90th percentile, representing experienced professionals, particularly in specialty fields like chip design, defense contracting, or advanced CAD modeling.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.93 | $311.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.63 | $341.05 |
| Median (P50) | $52.32 | $418.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.56 | $524.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.44 | $627.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $52.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.32/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $108,831 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,787. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,092.90 | $9,069 | $108,831 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,255.74 | $5,442 | $65,299 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $837.16 | $3,628 | $43,532 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Pittsburgh) | $52.32 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $108,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.97% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $108,931.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.32/hr = $65,299/year (purchasing power: $68,974).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,831/year (purchasing power: $114,957).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Pittsburgh grew 8.3% from $46.59/hr (2019) to $50.48/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.23/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
When considering part-time engagement as an electrical engineer, working only 24 hours per week will result in significantly lower annual compensation compared to full-time employment. In contrast, per-diem electrical engineer pay in Pittsburgh, often billed at rates from $90 to $170 per hour, allows professionals the flexibility of freelance work, although those with specialized skills, such as security clearance or semiconductor design expertise, can command even higher rates—up to $400 per hour for consulting roles. Employers in Pittsburgh vary widely in their pay structures; tech giants often offer competitive salaries, while utility companies might offer lower pay offsets with benefits like pensions and job stability. When negotiating hourly rates, professionals should weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly pay that includes health benefits versus higher rates that come without such perks, ensuring they find the right balance for their career goals.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Pittsburgh in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Pittsburgh?
Are electrical engineers in Pittsburgh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Pittsburgh?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Pittsburgh?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh. 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