Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Waukegan, IL: $50.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Waukegan, IL runs $50.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Waukegan's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,488 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukegan, Illinois, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.87, which is notably lower than the national median of $60.11. This difference represents the local market's conditions and the varying expectations across the industry sectors. For those considering part-time work, such as three days a week, this translates to a more predictable income stream but may limit the benefits typically associated with full-time employment. Workers at the lower end of the scale can expect an hourly rate around $31.37, while top earners in specialized areas can command as much as $78.85. Hourly pay estimates are derived from annual salary data, and Waukegan offers diverse environments for electrical engineers including hardware labs and clean rooms, which directly impact pay opportunities based on skill, security clearance, and specialization.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.37 | $251.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.08 | $304.65 |
| Median (P50) | $50.87 | $406.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.30 | $514.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.85 | $630.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukegan
Based on $50.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.87/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukegan, IL can expect to earn approximately $105,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,046. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukegan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukegan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,034.86 | $8,818 | $105,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,220.91 | $5,291 | $63,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.94 | $3,527 | $42,325 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Waukegan) | $50.87 |
| 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 Waukegan, IL earn a median of $105,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.37% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $105,707.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.87/hr = $63,488/year (purchasing power: $65,384).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,813/year (purchasing power: $108,973).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Waukegan grew 22.4% from $40.09/hr (2019) to $49.08/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.73/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 Waukegan 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 Waukegan
Considering a part-time position at an hourly pay rate can substantially influence annual earnings when compared to full-time work. A three-day workweek, yielding 24 hours, results in an approximate annual income that reflects the scaling down of full-time salaries. Furthermore, many electrical engineers venture into per-diem contracts which can offer significantly higher billing rates, ranging from $90 to $170 per hour for general roles, while specialized roles, particularly in defense or semiconductor consulting, can reach upwards of $200 to $600 per hour depending on expertise and project requirements. Waukegan’s job market includes companies from tech giants to defense contractors, each offering varying hourly compensation based on their specific needs and the level of security requirements. Engineers looking to maximize their pay often need to navigate the trade-offs between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance. Practical negotiation skills are vital for electrical engineers in Waukegan, particularly as they discuss pay scales that contrast against the higher national averages.
More salary data for Waukegan, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Waukegan in 2026?
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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 Waukegan. 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 Waukegan 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