Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $59.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Ruston, LA runs $59.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,710 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,832 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
An hourly pay of $59.96 for electrical engineers in Ruston, Louisiana, positions them just below the national median of $60.11. This figure allows for a practical income whether working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a part-time electrical engineer working three days a week may achieve a satisfactory work-life balance while earning a respectable income. The hourly rate spectrum in Ruston stretches from $40.51 at the entry-level up to $86.62 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the diversity of roles available. In environments such as tech hardware labs or defense contractor facilities, these engineers engage in critical work that often involves sophisticated equipment and adherence to strict protocols, directly influencing their earning potential.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.51 | $324.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.15 | $377.20 |
| Median (P50) | $59.96 | $479.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.29 | $594.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.62 | $692.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $59.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.96/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $124,720 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,954. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,398.46 | $10,393 | $124,720 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,439.08 | $6,236 | $74,832 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $959.38 | $4,157 | $49,888 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Ruston) | $59.96 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $124,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.26% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $129,636.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.96/hr = $74,832/year (purchasing power: $82,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,720/year (purchasing power: $138,117).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Ruston grew 22.4% from $47.25/hr (2019) to $57.85/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.15/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
In Ruston, the part-time earning potential is significant; for a three-day work schedule totaling 24 hours a week, one could expect to bring home around $74,900 annually, providing a stable income without the demands of a full-time role. The dynamic of per-diem and contract work offers even broader compensation opportunities, with rates ranging from $90 to $170 for independent electrical engineers. For highly specialized roles, such as semiconductor consultants or security-cleared contractors, billing can rise dramatically, with rates peaking at $600 per hour for expert witness services in patent cases. Employers in Ruston, including tech giants like Tesla and defense firms such as Lockheed Martin, contribute to the variation in pay. While higher hourly rates may not include benefits like health insurance, which some engineers find compelling, negotiating for a balance between pay and benefits is crucial. Participating in local IEEE events and networking could provide insights for effectively negotiating hourly terms in this market.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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