Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lakewood, WA: $59.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Lakewood, WA runs $59.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,544 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,728 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lakewood, Washington, electrical engineers receive a median hourly rate of $59.88, which is slightly below the national average of $60.11. This hourly compensation allows flexibility, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week or per-diem placements. In various settings such as tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and utility substation field engineering, electrical engineers can thrive even in a part-time capacity. The hourly wage range for this role spans from $35.63 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $92.81 for top-tier earners. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the financial potential within different work environments in Lakewood, from established defense contractors to innovative tech firms.
About the Lakewood 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) | $35.63 | $285.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.45 | $379.61 |
| Median (P50) | $59.88 | $479.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.64 | $613.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92.81 | $742.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $59.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.88/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, WA can expect to earn approximately $124,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,854. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,395.14 | $10,379 | $124,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,437.09 | $6,227 | $74,728 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $958.06 | $4,152 | $49,819 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Lakewood) | $59.88 |
| 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 Lakewood, WA earn a median of $124,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $126,056.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.88/hr = $74,728/year (purchasing power: $69,580).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,547/year (purchasing power: $115,966).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lakewood grew 22.4% from $47.19/hr (2019) to $57.77/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.06/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
The earning prospects for a part-time electrical engineer in Lakewood reveal a compelling picture. For someone working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home earnings could reach approximately $74,368, a significant contrast to the full-time equivalent. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Lakewood varies widely, with contracted roles often billing between $90 and $170 per hour. Positions requiring security clearance can elevate this figure considerably, ranging from $150 to $280 per hour, while specialized consulting in chip design may command rates as high as $200 to $400 per hour. This variability reflects the diverse employer types in the area—from companies at the forefront of semiconductor technology, like Intel and AMD, to the steady environment of utility firms. While some engineers opt for higher hourly wages without benefits, others may sacrifice pay for job security and health plans. Those negotiating hourly rates should consider the way their expertise aligns with the specific industry's compensation trends in Lakewood.
More salary data for Lakewood, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lakewood in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Lakewood?
Are electrical engineers in Lakewood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Lakewood?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Lakewood?
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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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