Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $50.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Aiken, SC runs $50.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,446 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,673 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, electrical engineers can expect an hourly rate of $50.22, which is significantly lower than the national median of $60.11. This difference becomes more evident for part-time electrical engineers working three days a week, who can benefit from flexible schedules typically seen in environments like tech company labs or defense contractor facilities. The hourly wages exhibit a wide range from $32.82 at the lower end to $74.79 at the higher end, which mirrors roles that may involve hybrid work, technical tasks in semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, or field engineering at utility substations. The estimates are derived from annual salary data, allowing workers to gauge their financial expectations in a variety of settings specific to the field.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.82 | $262.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.83 | $310.62 |
| Median (P50) | $50.22 | $401.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.15 | $505.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.79 | $598.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $50.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.22/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $104,454 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,262. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,008.74 | $8,705 | $104,454 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,205.24 | $5,223 | $62,673 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $803.49 | $3,482 | $41,782 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Aiken) | $50.22 |
| 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 Aiken, SC earn a median of $104,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.47% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $105,288.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.22/hr = $62,673/year (purchasing power: $68,495).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,454/year (purchasing power: $114,158).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Aiken grew 22.4% from $39.57/hr (2019) to $48.45/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.05/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 Aiken 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 Aiken
For those considering part-time opportunities, working as a per diem electrical engineer in Aiken could lead to substantial earnings compared to full-time roles, especially when factoring in the variety of specialized contract work available. Agencies and per diem positions often offer billing rates between $90 and $170 per hour, while cleared defense contractors can command $150 to $280 per hour, reflective of their specialized skill sets. Factors like the employer type and specific sector—ranging from tech giants engaged in chip design to traditional utility companies—can dramatically influence pay. However, engineers may face a trade-off: accepting lower hourly pay from companies providing benefits versus higher rates from contract positions lacking insurance. Knowing how to negotiate based on industry standards and local demand can enhance earning potential in Aiken's competitive market for electrical engineers.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Aiken in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Aiken?
Are electrical engineers in Aiken paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Aiken?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Aiken?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Aiken. 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 Aiken 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