Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $56.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Memphis, TN runs $56.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,990 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $61.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,201 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $56.25 for electrical engineers in Memphis, TN, professionals in this field earn slightly less than the national hourly median of $60.11. This hourly rate offers a strong livelihood, especially for those working part-time, such as three days per week, or engaging in per-diem assignments across various settings. Opportunities in tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and defense contractor SCIFs provide contexts where compensation can vary significantly based on experience and skill set. Entry-level electrical engineers can expect to earn around $38.62 per hour, while top earners in Memphis can make as much as $85.43 per hour, reflecting a diverse range of career pathways and expertise within the industry, according to official BLS hourly data projected for 2026.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.62 | $308.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.74 | $365.93 |
| Median (P50) | $56.25 | $450.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.91 | $527.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.43 | $683.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $56.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.25/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $117,002 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,501. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,250.03 | $9,750 | $117,002 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,350.02 | $5,850 | $70,201 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $900.01 | $3,900 | $46,801 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Memphis) | $56.25 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $116,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.43% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 12.60% above the Tennessee state average of $103,899.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.25/hr = $70,201/year (purchasing power: $76,157).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,002/year (purchasing power: $126,929).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Memphis grew 22.5% from $44.32/hr (2019) to $54.27/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.30/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Considering part-time work at 24 hours per week, an electrical engineer in Memphis could take home a substantial annual income, contrasting sharply with the potential earnings from full-time positions. For those pursuing freelance or contract opportunities, per diem electrical engineer pay in Memphis can reach as high as $170 per hour, especially for specialized tasks in chip design consulting or security-cleared defense contracting, where rates often exceed $150. Positions at major tech companies like Apple or Nvidia typically command salaries that reflect the semiconductor industry’s premium pay structure. However, the choice between hourly rates and employment benefits, such as health insurance, often influences decisions among professionals. Engineers must negotiate effectively; knowing the typical pay range for their niche is crucial in Memphis's current job market, where firms balance their need for talent against the costs of competitive compensation.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Memphis in 2026?
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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 Memphis. 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