Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $70.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Bellevue, WA runs $70.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,752 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $88,052 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, WA, electrical engineers can expect a median hourly pay of $70.55, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $60.11. This premium reflects not only the region's robust tech economy but also the demand for specialized skills in various sectors, such as semiconductor fabrication, defense contracting, and utility management. For part-time engineers working three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem roles, this translates into substantial earnings, especially when you consider the diverse work environments they may occupy. Whether in clean rooms at semiconductor fabs, hardware labs in tech firms utilizing advanced equipment like oscilloscopes, or field positions within utility companies, these professionals benefit from a competitive hourly rate that ranges from $42.19 at the entry-level to $109.36 for top earners in the field.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.19 | $337.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.16 | $417.25 |
| Median (P50) | $70.55 | $564.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89.93 | $719.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.36 | $874.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $70.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.55/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $146,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,665. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,822.18 | $12,229 | $146,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,693.31 | $7,338 | $88,052 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,128.87 | $4,892 | $58,701 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Bellevue) | $70.55 |
| 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 Bellevue, WA earn a median of $146,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.37% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 16.40% above the Washington state average of $126,075.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.55/hr = $88,052/year (purchasing power: $81,985).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,753/year (purchasing power: $136,642).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $56.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Bellevue grew 22.4% from $55.60/hr (2019) to $68.07/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.13/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
Analyzing the potential earnings for electrical engineers in Bellevue reveals intriguing contrasts between part-time and full-time paradigms. A part-time engineer working 24 hours a week would take home considerably less than their full-time counterpart, yet still maintain a respectable income relative to the industry. Meanwhile, per diem electrical engineers could bill at rates ranging from $90 to $170 per hour, with those in highly specialized roles or clearance-sensitive positions potentially fetching even higher rates; for instance, security-cleared defense engineers may earn between $150 and $280 per hour, while expert consultants might charge upwards of $300 to $600 per hour for their expertise. Hourly rates vary significantly based on the employer type, with tech giants and defense contractors often leading in compensation, while utility companies might offer lower rates but additional benefits like pensions. Engineers in Bellevue need to assess these trade-offs carefully, negotiating for competitive pay while considering the value of benefits versus higher hourly pay without them. Understanding how to position oneself within this market is paramount, especially with the rising costs of living in the region.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Bellevue in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Bellevue?
Are electrical engineers in Bellevue paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Bellevue?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Bellevue?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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