Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $47.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $47.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,056 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,439 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The projected electrical engineer hourly pay in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is estimated to be $47.63, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This difference can impact part-time workers significantly, especially those considering a three-day workweek, as their earnings may be more limited compared to full-time counterparts. Per-diem roles in electronics could typically be found in tech company environments such as labs for hardware design, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, or even positions requiring security clearance within defense contracting sites. The hourly compensation range spans from $31.52 for entry-level roles to $71.28 for top earners, illustrating the potential for considerable income variations based on experience and specific job functions.
About the Wauwatosa 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) | $31.52 | $252.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.12 | $296.94 |
| Median (P50) | $47.63 | $381.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.25 | $482.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.28 | $570.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $47.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.63/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $99,065 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,153. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,905.09 | $8,255 | $99,065 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,143.05 | $4,953 | $59,439 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $762.03 | $3,302 | $39,626 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Wauwatosa) | $47.63 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $99,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.78% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $104,490.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.63/hr = $59,439/year (purchasing power: $63,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,065/year (purchasing power: $106,065).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Wauwatosa grew 22.4% from $37.53/hr (2019) to $45.95/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.37/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
Examining part-time earnings for a 24-hour workweek reveals that while an electrical engineer may make a respectable income, it may not match the full-time potential in high-demand sectors. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Wauwatosa, especially for contract work, can be lucrative; many who take on contract roles may charge rates between $90 and $170 per hour, with those in security-cleared positions demanding between $150 and $280. Specialized consultants in chip design may find even higher rates, often ranging from $200 to $400 per hour, while expert witnesses may bill upwards of $300 to $600 per hour, making these roles highly appealing for skilled engineers. Variations in hourly rates can also be influenced by the type of employer, with tech giants offering higher compensation compared to utility firms, which provide benefits like pensions in exchange for lower pay. When negotiating, engineers should assess the value of health insurance against higher hourly rates without benefits. Understanding these dynamics is essential for making informed career choices in the evolving Wauwatosa engineering market.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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