Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Westerly, RI: $56.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Westerly, RI runs $56.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,348 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Westerly's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,408 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the electrical engineer hourly pay in Westerly, Rhode Island, is projected to be $56.42, which falls below the national median of $60.11. This difference can impact part-time or per-diem workers, especially in specialized environments such as defense contractor facilities or semiconductor clean rooms. For those working three days a week, even a typical hourly rate allows flexibility in work-life balance while still maintaining substantial income, especially in settings that require advanced skills like CAD design or simulation work. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn around $40.02 an hour, while top earners could command up to $81.58, reflecting the demands of the role and the specialized expertise possessed by some professionals in this field.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.02 | $320.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.79 | $366.34 |
| Median (P50) | $56.42 | $451.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.98 | $543.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.58 | $652.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westerly
Based on $56.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.42/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westerly, RI can expect to earn approximately $117,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,700. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Westerly.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westerly
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,256.67 | $9,779 | $117,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,354.00 | $5,867 | $70,408 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $902.67 | $3,912 | $46,939 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Westerly) | $56.42 |
| 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 Westerly, RI earn a median of $117,348 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $125,641.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.42/hr = $70,408/year (purchasing power: $70,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,347/year (purchasing power: $116,763).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Westerly grew 22.4% from $44.46/hr (2019) to $54.43/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.48/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 Westerly 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 Westerly
For an electrical engineer at a part-time capacity, say working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can reflect a considerable difference when compared to full-time counterparts. While full-time positions can command an annual take-home amounting to approximately $117,348, part-timers would generate a lower income but might still find per-diem or contracting roles lucrative in Westerly. Many per diem electrical engineer pay opportunities range from $90 to $170 an hour, with specialized fields, such as security-cleared positions or consulting, offering even higher rates. Often, professionals in Westerly navigate various employer types—ranging from tech giants like Tesla to established defense firms like Raytheon—each presenting distinct salary structures. This variability can lead engineers to opt for positions with health benefits at lower hourly rates versus higher hourly compensation without benefits. As a practical tip, those seeking hourly positions should emphasize skills such as project management or proficiency in leading engineering software to strengthen their negotiating position in this competitive market.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
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 Westerly. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Westerly is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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