Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Cleveland, TN: $51.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Cleveland, TN runs $51.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,086 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,859 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Cleveland, TN, the projected median hourly pay for electrical engineers stands at $51.97, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $60.11. This difference reflects the economic landscape and employment opportunities available within the area. For those working part-time, such as a standard three-day workweek, this hourly wage can lead to a solid income while still allowing for flexibility. Per-diem roles in settings like semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, defense contractor facilities, and hybrid CAD environments may also offer varying compensation that scales with experience. Entry-level engineers might expect to earn around $40.26 per hour, while those at the higher end of the scale can command up to $66.36 as they gain more specialized skills or move into management roles. These insights are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected for 2026.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.26 | $322.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.53 | $340.22 |
| Median (P50) | $51.97 | $415.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.36 | $482.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.36 | $530.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $51.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.97/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, TN can expect to earn approximately $108,098 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,364. With a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,078.80 | $9,008 | $108,098 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,247.28 | $5,405 | $64,859 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $831.52 | $3,603 | $43,239 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Cleveland) | $51.97 |
| 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 Cleveland, TN earn a median of $108,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.55% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.10% above the Tennessee state average of $103,829.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.97/hr = $64,859/year (purchasing power: $73,636).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,098/year (purchasing power: $122,727).
CoL index: 88.08 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Cleveland grew 22.4% from $40.95/hr (2019) to $50.14/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.87/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Analyzing the potential for part-time work reveals a substantial difference in annual earnings compared to full-time positions. An electrical engineer working 24 hours a week could net approximately $64,400 annually, which, while respectable, is significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For those considering per-diem contracts, billing rates can escalate dramatically, ranging from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialization in areas like security-cleared defense contracting yielding even higher pay, from $150 to $280 per hour. Local employers vary, with tech giants offering competitive compensation in chip design significantly above typical utility or automotive positions. Some engineers might opt for lower hourly rates if they include health benefits, weighing the trade-off against unbenefited higher-pay options. For those in Cleveland negotiating hourly roles, it's advisable to benchmark against both local and national figures, considering factors such as employer type and benefit structures to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Cleveland in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Cleveland?
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How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Cleveland?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Cleveland?
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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 Cleveland. 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, 3-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