Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $59.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Burlington, NC runs $59.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,017 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,418 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, electrical engineers command an hourly median pay of $59.63, which is slightly below the national median of $60.11. This competitive rate allows for a flexible lifestyle, making it viable for part-time positions, such as those working three days a week in various settings like tech company labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and utility field engineering environments. For per-diem workers, the city offers a notable hourly range, with entry-level positions starting around $38.69 and experienced engineers reaching up to $85.17 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026 highlights the diverse opportunities available to electrical engineers in Burlington, from hardware tinkering at desks overflowing with tools to sophisticated projects involving complex simulations using CAD software.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.69 | $309.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.19 | $337.48 |
| Median (P50) | $59.63 | $477.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.78 | $486.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.17 | $681.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $59.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.63/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $124,030 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,556. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,385.19 | $10,336 | $124,030 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,431.12 | $6,202 | $74,418 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $954.08 | $4,134 | $49,612 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Burlington) | $59.63 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $124,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 13.80% above the North Carolina state average of $108,978.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.63/hr = $74,418/year (purchasing power: $79,851).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,030/year (purchasing power: $133,085).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$46.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Burlington grew 22.4% from $46.99/hr (2019) to $57.53/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.81/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Considering the earning potential for part-time electrical engineers, working a standard 24-hour week equates to approximately $74,206 annually assuming consistency throughout the year. However, the landscape shifts significantly for those engaged in per-diem or contract work, which can range widely. For instance, specialized contractors could earn between $90 and $400 per hour depending on their expertise, such as security-cleared defense contractors or chip design consultants. In Burlington, employer types significantly influence hourly rates; tech firms and defense contractors often offer higher pay compared to utility companies, which provide stability and benefits like pensions. Negotiating effectively can lead to better outcomes; many engineers opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance, knowing that self-employed or agency work often lacks such benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for electrical engineers navigating their career paths in Burlington, NC.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. 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, 6-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