verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Electrical Engineer Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$144,040/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$69.25/hr
▲ 19% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
24,230
public U.S. Median
$120,630
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$130,094 #9 of 49

Electrical Engineer pay in California, explained

Electrical engineers in California earn a median of $144,040 per year ($69.25 per hour), which is 19% above the national median of $120,630. Entry-level workers earn around $81,840, while the most experienced electrical engineers reach about $217,760. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $144,040 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $144,040 is worth about $130,094 in national buying power — ranking California #9 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Electrical Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Electrical Engineer pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$81,840
$39.35/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$144,040
$69.25/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$217,760
$104.69/hr

Electrical Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $144,040 $130,094
Oregon $125,160 $121,090 +$18,880
Nevada $107,400 $107,423 +$36,640
Arizona $100,550 $99,874 +$43,490

Electrical Engineer in California: FAQ

How much do electrical engineers make in California?

Electrical engineers in California earn a median of $144,040 per year ($69.25 per hour), compared with $120,630 nationally.

Does California pay electrical engineers well?

At $144,040, California pays 19% above the national median for electrical engineers. An estimated 24,230 work in the state.

Electrical Engineer salary in other states

All 49 states ranked arrow_forward

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