Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in University City, MO: $54.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in University City, MO runs $54.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,027 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against University City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $60.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,821 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University City, Missouri, electrical engineers earn a median hourly rate of $54.34, which is approximately 9.60% lower than the national median of $60.11. This hourly wage presents significant opportunities for part-time and per-diem engagements, especially in fields like semiconductor fabrication, defense contracting, or tech company environments where engineers work with high-tech equipment such as oscilloscopes and CAD software. The hourly pay for electrical engineers can range from $34.92 for entry-level positions to $78.22 for highly experienced professionals. This range supports diverse employment scenarios, whether it's in a specialized clean room at a semiconductor fab or remote work involving simulations and design tasks. For many in the profession, understanding this structure can help shape their employment strategies, especially for those just starting or looking to transition between projects.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.92 | $279.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.63 | $333.01 |
| Median (P50) | $54.34 | $434.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.98 | $543.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.22 | $625.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in University City
Based on $54.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.34/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in University City, MO can expect to earn approximately $113,035 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,212. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in University City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in University City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,173.75 | $9,420 | $113,035 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,304.25 | $5,652 | $67,821 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $869.50 | $3,768 | $45,214 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (University City) | $54.34 |
| 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 University City, MO earn a median of $113,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.60% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $114,632.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.34/hr = $67,821/year (purchasing power: $75,693).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,035/year (purchasing power: $126,155).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in University City grew 22.4% from $42.82/hr (2019) to $52.43/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.33/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 University City 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 University City
Exploring the financial realities, part-time electrical engineers working three days a week might earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, while still benefitting from flexibility. Contracting as a per-diem electrical engineer in University City can lead to lucrative hourly rates ranging from $90 to $170, with specialized roles, such as those needing security clearances in defense contracting, seeing rates as high as $150 to $280. Further, chip design consultants can command even higher fees, sometimes hitting $200 to $400 per hour. Industries employing electrical engineers in University City encompass tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, as well as defense contractors and power companies. Many engineers accept lower hourly wages in stable roles that provide health benefits while others pursue higher rates with a trade-off of not having such benefits. For those negotiating contracts in this field, it's crucial to assess both hourly compensation and added benefit packages to align with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for University City, MO:
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 University City. 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 University City 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