Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $52.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $52.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,071 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,441 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Salt Lake City will have a median hourly pay of $52.44, which is lower than the national median hourly rate of $60.11. For those working part-time, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, this hourly rate translates into solid earnings while still offering flexibility. Professionals in this field can expect to operate in various settings, including tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and utility substations, where precision and compliance with safety protocols are crucial. The hourly compensation ranges from $38.51 at the entry level to $85.50 for top earners, providing a varied income spectrum based on experience and specific job roles.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.51 | $308.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.60 | $340.80 |
| Median (P50) | $52.44 | $419.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.77 | $566.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.50 | $684.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $52.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.44/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $109,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,924. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,097.46 | $9,089 | $109,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,258.48 | $5,453 | $65,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $838.98 | $3,636 | $43,627 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Salt Lake City) | $52.44 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $109,071 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.77% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 11.10% below the Utah state average of $122,689.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.44/hr = $65,441/year (purchasing power: $64,878).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,068/year (purchasing power: $108,129).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Salt Lake City grew 13.3% from $44.65/hr (2019) to $50.59/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.35/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Examining the financial opportunities for electrical engineers reveals considerable earning potential, especially for part-time roles. An engineer working 24 hours per week could see an annual income significantly less than a full-time engineer, which may influence lifestyle choices and job satisfaction. Per diem electrical engineers often command higher hourly rates ranging from $90 to $170 in Salt Lake City, with those seeking specialized roles in defense or semiconductor fields earning even more — such as $200 to $400 per hour. The different employer types also create distinct pay scales; for instance, tech firms like Intel or Nvidia may offer higher hourly rates due to the lucrative semiconductor industry pay premium. Engineers sometimes choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Therefore, when negotiating hourly rates in Salt Lake City, it's essential to consider both financial compensation and the overall package, including benefits that can add significant value to a role.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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