Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $64.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Lake Charles, LA runs $64.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $134,683 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $75.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,808 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the projected electrical engineer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $64.75, notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $60.11. This pay level allows electrical engineers in the area to maintain a favorable lifestyle considering the local cost of living index of 85.852, which is below the national average. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or those engaging in per-diem roles, this hourly rate can translate into competitive weekly earnings. Typical settings for these engineers include tech company hardware labs, semiconductor manufacturing clean rooms, and utility substation sites, where they can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $40.12 for entry-level positions to $85.07 for top earners mentioned in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Such diversity in pay reflects not only skill level but also the specific demands of different employer types in the region.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.12 | $320.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.36 | $386.90 |
| Median (P50) | $64.75 | $518.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.02 | $648.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.07 | $680.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $64.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.75/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $134,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,700. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,590.01 | $11,223 | $134,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,554.00 | $6,734 | $80,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,036.00 | $4,489 | $53,872 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Lake Charles) | $64.75 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $134,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 3.90% above the Louisiana state average of $129,627.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.75/hr = $80,808/year (purchasing power: $94,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $134,680/year (purchasing power: $156,875).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Lake Charles grew 35.1% from $46.23/hr (2019) to $62.47/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.11/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
For those considering part-time roles at 24 hours a week, earning potential can vary significantly compared to full-time work. While part-time engineers might bring home a respectable income, they may earn less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting overall financial stability and benefits packages. In the world of per-diem work, especially within sectors like defense contracting, pay can reach hourly billing rates between $90 and $170; those with security clearance may even command rates between $150 and $280 per hour. Specialized consultants in chip design and expert witnesses can see rates soar higher, suggesting varied financial avenues for electrical engineers. Moreover, hourly rates differ across employer types in Lake Charles, with tech giants and defense contractors capable of offering much higher pay than utility and power companies. Many engineers weigh the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower rates with comprehensive health coverage. Negotiation plays a vital role here, especially for local engineers who should stay informed on the current market trends within Lake Charles, Louisiana.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
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 Lake Charles. 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