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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $141K Median

Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $96K and $224K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $141,491 per year — +28% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $96,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $224,000 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $24,823 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$141,491
+470.0% YoY · $11,791/mo
Entry
$96,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$185,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$224,000
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$141K
San Diego
$130K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$171K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$105K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Circuit design
  • PCB layout
  • Embedded systems
  • Power systems analysis
  • Testing and validation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles

In-demand certifications

PE LicenseSix SigmaIEEE membership

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles or hiring remotely from this metro.

Apple
Tesla
Intel
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
GE
Lockheed Martin
SpaceX

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Electrical Engineer listings.

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand.

Electrical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$96,000$141,491$224,000
Monthly$8,000$11,791$18,667
Weekly$1,846$2,721$4,308
Hourly$46$68$108

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$99,584.094
Per month$8,299
Biweekly paycheck$3,830
Effective tax rate29.6%

Tax Breakdown on $141,491

Gross salary$141,491
Federal income tax−$23,300.84
California state tax−$7,782.005
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,824.062
Take-home (net)$99,584.094

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$88,320
2–3 yr$96,000
4–6 yr$140,800
7–10 yr$185,600
11–15 yr$219,008
15+ yr$204,800

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$24,823
2026 median:$141,491
Change:+$116,668

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$81,787
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $126,331 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $186K–$224K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $141,491 per year as of April 2026 — $11,791/month, $2,721/week, or about $68/hour. Salaries range from $96,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $224,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $141,491 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $141,491 a real purchasing power of approximately $81,787 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $141,491 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $141,491 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $141,491 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $141,491 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $141,491 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $141,491 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $141,491 each ($282,982 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $141,491 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $141,491 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $141,491 Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $99,584.094 per year ($8,299/month, $3,830 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $23,300.84, state $7,782.005, FICA $10,824.062. Effective tax rate: 29.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $141,491 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $81,787 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $96,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $185,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $224,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $24,823 in 2025 to $141,491 in 2026 (+$116,668). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Electrical Engineers are: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Los Angeles include: Apple, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, GE. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE License or Six Sigma). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Electrical Engineer in Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Los Angeles's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Electrical Engineer salary figures for Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Los Angeles

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$130KSan Francisco, CA$171KSeattle, WA$146KWashington, DC$144KBoston, MA$144KFresno, CA$105KSacramento, CA$119KLong Beach, CA$133K

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