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Hourly Wage for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant in the United States is $80, which translates to an annual salary of about $166,790.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75 to $84 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries

An Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • EE III (4-7 years): $120,758
  • EE IV (7+ years): $143,785
  • Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $166,797
  • EE VI (10-12 years): $200,759
  • Electrical Engineering Team Leader I (12+ years): $98,447
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
EE III4-7 years$120,758
EE IV7+ years$143,785
Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$166,797
EE VI10-12 years$200,759
Electrical Engineering Team Leader I12+ years$98,447
View as Graph

How Do Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $184,690.
  • California: $183,990.
  • Massachusetts: $181,590.

Top Paying Cities for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $210,390
  • San Francisco: $208,090
  • Oakland: $203,690

What Skills Can Increase an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.44% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 3.02% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.44%
AutoCAD 3.02%
CAD 1.58%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary.

  • Renewable Energy: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Prototyping: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Renewable Energy $181,801
9%
Insight $175,130
5%
Prototyping $171,794
3%
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Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $186,395. While startup companies pay approximate $157,671.

Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $157,671
Growth Stage 51~500 $166,753
Established 501~5000 $179,988
Enterprise 5000+ $186,395

Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$216,827$104.030%
Energy & Utilities$200,148$96.020%
Software & Networking$200,148$96.020%
Pharmaceuticals$191,808$92.015%
Internet$183,469$88.010%

How Education impacts an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultants enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $163,766 and $171,496).

Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 0.6%
Associates 0.6%
Bachelors 43.2%
Masters 38.0%
Doctorate 17.6%
View as Graph

Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$155,390
Average $166,790/year
$175,390
$12,949
Average $13,899/month
$14,616
$2,988
Average $3,208/week
$3,373
$75
Average $80/hour
$84
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $175,390 $14,616 $3,373 $84
Average $166,790 $13,899 $3,208 $80
25th Percentile $155,390 $12,949 $2,988 $75

Most common benefits for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Here are companies hiring for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Do consultants make 7 figures?

While some consultants can earn seven figures, many experienced Electrical Engineers in expert or consultant roles typically earn between $157,090 and $184,190 annually. Focus on building your skills and reputation, and you could achieve significant financial success in your consulting career.

3. What is the highest paid electrical engineer?

The highest paid electrical engineers, particularly in expert or consultant roles, can earn a salary ranging from $157,090 to $184,190, with a mid-salary of $171,890. This positions them among the top earners in the field, surpassing many other engineering roles.

4. How much do Big 4 consultants charge per hour?

Big 4 consultants typically charge between $350 and $1,000 per hour, depending on their level of expertise. For specialized roles like Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant, salaries range from $157,090 to $184,190 annually, reflecting the high demand and expertise required in the field.

5. What is a typical engineering consulting rate?

A typical engineering consulting rate for an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant ranges from approximately $157,090 to $184,190 annually. This translates to an hourly rate of about $75 to $88, depending on experience and project complexity. Engineering fees generally account for 1% to 2% of the total project budget, which can be substantial in large-scale projects.

6. Which engineer is highest paid in USA?

The highest-paid engineering role in the USA is the Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant, with a salary range from $157,090 to $184,190, and a median salary of $171,890. This positions them above other engineering roles, such as Mechanical and Environmental Engineers, which have median salaries around $96,310 and $96,530, respectively.

7. Can an engineer make 300k?

While the salary data for an Electrical Engineer - Expert/Consultant indicates a range of approximately $157k to $184k, it is possible for engineers in specialized roles or with extensive experience to earn higher salaries, potentially reaching up to $300k in certain circumstances.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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