Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $52.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Kearney, NE runs $52.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,170 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,101 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kearney, Nebraska offers an electrical engineer hourly pay of $52.97, which is 11.89% lower than the national median hourly rate of $60.11 in 2026. This wage reflects the region's economic landscape and the demand for engineers across various industries, including utility field engineering, defense contracting, and high-tech sectors. For part-time workers, such as those at tech company hardware labs or semiconductor fabs, a three-day workweek could yield approximately $63,573 annually, emphasizing the significance of contract work in Kearney. In terms of hourly compensation, the range spans from $36.17 for entry-level positions to $79.13 for highly experienced professionals, showcasing diverse opportunities depending on skill set and sector engagement.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.17 | $289.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.28 | $338.23 |
| Median (P50) | $52.97 | $423.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.75 | $534.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.13 | $633.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $52.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.97/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $110,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,558. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,118.61 | $9,181 | $110,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,271.16 | $5,508 | $66,101 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $847.44 | $3,672 | $44,067 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Kearney) | $52.97 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $110,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $114,402.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.97/hr = $66,101/year (purchasing power: $72,241).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,168/year (purchasing power: $120,402).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Kearney grew 22.4% from $41.74/hr (2019) to $51.10/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.90/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Analyzing part-time opportunities reveals that a per diem electrical engineer frequently earns between $90 and $170 an hour, significantly increasing their effective annual income despite working fewer hours. The reality for agency workers in Kearney shows that specialized positions, particularly in the semiconductor industry and defense contracting, can command hourly rates from $150 to $400— a sharp contrast to the steady but lower pay found in utility and power sectors. Many engineers negotiate for higher hourly rates without benefits, balancing the choice between financial compensation and job security. For prospective electrical engineers, understanding the nuances of hourly pay across employer types— such as tech giants, automotive firms, and engineering consultancies— is critical when deciding between contract work and traditional employment.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 Kearney. 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 Kearney 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