Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $50.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Appleton, WI runs $50.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,381 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,229 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, electrical engineers command a median hourly rate of $50.66 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This discrepancy may be essential for part-time engineers working three days a week in settings such as tech company hardware labs or defense contractor facilities, which often have specialized requirements such as clean room attire or security clearance. For those entering the field or occupying positions at the lower end of the spectrum, the hourly pay can start at approximately $36.52, while experienced engineers working in high-demand areas can earn as much as $64.75 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights the structured pay landscape for electrical engineers in Appleton, providing critical insights for both professionals and employers alike.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.52 | $292.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.42 | $323.39 |
| Median (P50) | $50.66 | $405.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.65 | $461.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.75 | $518.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $50.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.66/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $105,381 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,797. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,026.56 | $8,782 | $105,381 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,215.94 | $5,269 | $63,229 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.63 | $3,513 | $42,153 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Appleton) | $50.66 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $105,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.72% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $104,441.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.66/hr = $63,229/year (purchasing power: $68,415).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,381/year (purchasing power: $114,026).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Appleton grew 15.0% from $42.51/hr (2019) to $48.88/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.51/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
Looking at the earning potential, a part-time electrical engineer working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $63,888 annually, compared to full-time workers who enjoy significant benefits but longer hours. For those pursuing per-diem work or contracting, the rates are substantially higher; billing can reach between $90 and $170 per hour, and even more for specialized roles like defense contractors requiring security clearance, where rates soar to between $150 and $280 per hour. Notably, the semiconductor industry offers lucrative opportunities in chip design, with consultative roles demanding upwards of $200 to $400 hourly. In contemplating these choices, electrical engineers in Appleton must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without traditional benefits against more stable yet perhaps less lucrative roles. Practical negotiation strategies, including understanding local market rates and emphasizing specific skills tied to varying employer types—such as automotive giants or utility companies—can make a significant difference in securing a competitive hourly pay structure.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. 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