Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Wheeling, WV: $57.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Wheeling, WV runs $57.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $120,079 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,051 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wheeling, West Virginia, electrical engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $57.73 by 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $60.11. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time engineers who may work a flexible schedule, such as three days a week, giving them the opportunity to maintain a work-life balance while still earning a respectable income. For per-diem workers, who engage in tasks within sectors like semiconductor fabrication or defense contracting, the hourly rates can vary significantly. The hourly range for electrical engineers in Wheeling extends from $42.70 for entry-level positions to about $80.56 for those at the top of their field, showcasing ample opportunities for career growth and specialization within high-demand settings.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.70 | $341.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.69 | $389.56 |
| Median (P50) | $57.73 | $461.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.38 | $547.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.56 | $644.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $57.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.73/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, WV can expect to earn approximately $120,085 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,280. With a cost-of-living index of 88.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,309.32 | $10,007 | $120,085 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,385.59 | $6,004 | $72,051 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $923.73 | $4,003 | $48,034 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Wheeling) | $57.73 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV earn a median of $120,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.96% lower than the national median of $125,033.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.73/hr = $72,051/year (purchasing power: $81,577).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $120,085/year (purchasing power: $135,961).
CoL index: 88.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Wheeling grew 35.1% from $41.23/hr (2019) to $55.70/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.84/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Considering part-time professionals working a typical 24-hour week, their annual take-home pay can differ markedly from full-time earnings, allowing them to maintain flexibility while still being compensated fairly. On the other hand, per-diem or agency electrical engineers may experience disparities in their billing rates, which can range from $90 to $170 per hour, with specialized consultants in chip design or security-cleared positions achieving rates as high as $200 to $600 an hour. The type of employer in Wheeling also plays a critical role in determining pay; data suggests that tech companies often command the highest hourly rates followed by defense contractors and utilities. Not all engineers are drawn solely to higher hourly rates; some value the stability and health benefits offered by traditional roles. Those working in electrical engineering must also consider negotiation tactics, as employers often balance hourly compensation against benefits packages, influencing their long-term career decisions.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Wheeling in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Wheeling?
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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 Wheeling. 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