Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $53.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in La Crosse, WI runs $53.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,532 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,320 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $53.14, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $60.11. This figure reflects the local market dynamics and may impact individuals seeking part-time or per-diem opportunities in specialized work environments, such as semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, defense contractor facilities, or engineering consulting firms. With hourly wages ranging from $40.52 at entry-level positions to as high as $63.17 for top earners, professionals in this field can find diverse work settings that leverage their technical skills. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 highlights both the growth potential in electrical engineering and the competitive landscape that exists in this sector, making it an attractive profession for those entering the workforce or transitioning within their careers.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.52 | $324.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.78 | $334.25 |
| Median (P50) | $53.14 | $425.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.29 | $490.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.17 | $505.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $53.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.14/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $110,534 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,770. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,125.65 | $9,211 | $110,534 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,275.39 | $5,527 | $66,320 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $850.26 | $3,684 | $44,214 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (La Crosse) | $53.14 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $110,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.60% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $104,473.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.14/hr = $66,320/year (purchasing power: $72,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,534/year (purchasing power: $120,448).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in La Crosse grew 22.4% from $41.88/hr (2019) to $51.27/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.08/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
Part-time electrical engineers working three days a week can expect to take home a substantially different annual income than their full-time counterparts. For example, working 24 hours a week at the median rate translates to approximately $66,155 annually, slightly below the state’s typical earnings but offering flexibility. Many professionals in La Crosse also explore per-diem options, with pay rates for contract work varying significantly; rates can reach $90 to $170 per hour for general consulting, while cleared defense contractors and specialized consultants can charge even more, with some positions billing up to $400 per hour. This variation reflects the employer type, where tech companies, defense contractors, and utility firms all offer different compensation packages. While some engineers may opt for lower-paying roles with benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, others may prefer the higher hourly rates associated with freelance or contract positions, weighing personal circumstances and work-life balance. Negotiating effectively in this local market often requires a clear understanding of these dynamics to secure the best possible compensation.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse. 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, 5-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