Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Eau Claire, WI: $49.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Eau Claire, WI runs $49.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,173 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Eau Claire's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,909 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, electrical engineers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $49.61 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11 per hour. For part-time professionals usually working three days a week, this equates to a solid income while balancing other commitments, particularly in environments such as tech hardware labs, semiconductor clean rooms, and utility substation field engineering. The expected hourly pay for entry-level positions starts at approximately $36.92, with the potential for experienced engineers to reach around $62.88 per hour. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates a range of opportunities for electrical engineers across different industry sectors in Eau Claire, including remote work options that benefit from flexible schedules.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.92 | $295.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.38 | $315.01 |
| Median (P50) | $49.61 | $396.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.16 | $449.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.88 | $503.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eau Claire
Based on $49.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.61/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eau Claire, WI can expect to earn approximately $103,182 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,528. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eau Claire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eau Claire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,984.28 | $8,599 | $103,182 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,190.57 | $5,159 | $61,909 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $793.71 | $3,439 | $41,273 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Eau Claire) | $49.61 |
| 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 Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $103,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.48% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $104,532.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.61/hr = $61,909/year (purchasing power: $66,716).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,182/year (purchasing power: $111,193).
CoL index: 92.796 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Eau Claire grew 19.6% from $40.02/hr (2019) to $47.86/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.42/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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
When considering part-time work, a three-day work week (24 hours) yields an annual take-home that is significantly less than what full-time professionals might earn. Per diem electrical engineer pay in Eau Claire varies widely, with agency roles often billing $90 to $170 per hour, while specialized positions in semiconductor design can command even higher rates, such as $200 to $400 per hour. Electrical engineers engaged in defense-sector roles may see billing rates from $150 to $280 per hour due to clearance requirements. The variance in hourly rates also depends on the employer type. For instance, technology companies and defense contractors typically provide higher compensation compared to utility or consulting roles, which may offer stability and health benefits in exchange for lower hourly rates. Understanding these nuances can help local engineers better negotiate their compensation, considering whether they prioritize hourly pay or associated benefits in their career decisions.
More salary data for Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire. 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