Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $59.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Denver, CO runs $59.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,364 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $56.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,017 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $59.31 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $60.11. This rate means that part-time professionals working three days a week can expect to earn around $60,000 per year, which allows for flexible scheduling often desired in hardware labs or remote CAD work. The hourly figures for electrical engineers in Denver range from $40.04 for entry-level positions to $97.72 for top earners. The information reflects official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing a solid demand for electrical engineers in sectors such as defense contracting, semiconductor engineering, and utility services. Engineers can work in environments such as clean rooms, sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs), or even from home, maintaining valuable skill sets and gaining experience in an evolving job market.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.04 | $320.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.95 | $391.63 |
| Median (P50) | $59.31 | $474.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.59 | $572.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97.72 | $781.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $59.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.31/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $123,362 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,170. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,372.34 | $10,280 | $123,362 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,423.40 | $6,168 | $74,017 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $948.94 | $4,112 | $49,345 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Denver) | $59.31 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $123,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.20% above the Colorado state average of $123,118.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.31/hr = $74,017/year (purchasing power: $69,971).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,362/year (purchasing power: $116,619).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Denver grew 26.8% from $45.11/hr (2019) to $57.22/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.47/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 Denver 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 Denver
Shifting focus to the potential earnings for part-time or per-diem roles, an electrical engineer working a standard part-time schedule of about 24 hours a week will take home approximately $45,000 annually, compared to a full-time position which typically yields a higher income. For those considering contract work, per diem electrical engineer pay in Denver varies widely, with agencies billing anywhere from $90 to $170 an hour, while cleared defense contractors often command $150-$280 per hour due to the specialized nature of their positions. The semiconductor sector reflects even higher pay premiums, with consultants focused on board bring-up or chip design earning between $200 and $400 per hour. It's essential for engineers to assess the benefits of steady hourly work against potential lower pay; while some firms offer more generous hourly rates without benefits, others provide health insurance and stability, which can be appealing to many. When negotiating an hourly wage, consider the specific employer type, as tech firms may offer different compensation packages compared to automotive or utility companies, and expertise in the semiconductor industry continues to pay off significantly for electrical engineers in Denver.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 Denver. 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