Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Onalaska, WI: $53.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Onalaska, WI runs $53.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,014 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Onalaska's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,213 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Onalaska, Wisconsin, the electrical engineer hourly pay stands at $53.86, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $60.11. This hourly compensation provides a solid income for engineers working in various environments, such as tech company hardware labs with sophisticated equipment, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms that require specialized gowning, and sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) for defense contractors. These roles often allow for flexible scheduling; for example, an electrical engineer working three days a week could benefit from significant autonomy while earning a respectable wage. The hourly pay in this field ranges from $35.26 for entry-level positions to $74.99 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in Onalaska's engineering sector.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.26 | $282.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.82 | $350.59 |
| Median (P50) | $53.86 | $430.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.98 | $519.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.99 | $599.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Onalaska
Based on $53.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.86/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Onalaska, WI can expect to earn approximately $112,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,628. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Onalaska.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Onalaska
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,154.26 | $9,335 | $112,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,292.56 | $5,601 | $67,213 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $861.70 | $3,734 | $44,809 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Onalaska) | $53.86 |
| 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 Onalaska, WI earn a median of $112,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.41% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 7.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $104,490.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.86/hr = $67,213/year (purchasing power: $71,962).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,022/year (purchasing power: $119,937).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Onalaska grew 22.4% from $42.44/hr (2019) to $51.96/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.82/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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska
When considering part-time opportunities, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week can expect to earn over $67,000 annually, providing a substantial income compared to typical part-time jobs. In contrast, per diem electrical engineer pay in Onalaska can significantly exceed hourly averages for more specialized roles, with rates between $90 and $170 per hour for contract work. For defense contractors needing security clearances, wages can range from $150 to $280 per hour. Industry-specific experts, especially in semiconductor design or patent litigation, might see earnings of $200 to $600 per hour. Employers such as major tech companies, defense contractors, utilities, and automotive firms present varied compensation structures, and many engineers choose roles that balance hourly pay with benefits. Negotiating rates in Onalaska typically requires understanding these employer dynamics and weighing the importance of benefits such as health insurance against higher hourly wages in more transient positions.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 Onalaska. 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 Onalaska 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