2026 Salary — California
Updated April 29, 2026
Electrical Engineer Salary in California: $130K Median
Electrical Engineers in California earn between $89K and $207K per year.
That's +18% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in California is $130,437 per year — +18% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $88,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $206,500 (90th percentile). California's cost-of-living index is 145. State income tax applies.
Median
$130,437
+470.0% YoY
Entry
$88,500
Experienced
$171,100
Top 10%
$206,500
About Electrical Engineers in California
Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.
Hot 2026 Skills
Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems
ATS Keywords
PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Electrical Engineer Salary in California Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $171,337 |
| Los Angeles | $141,491 |
| San Diego | $130,437 |
| Sacramento | $119,383 |
| Oakland | $154,756 |
| Fresno | $105,013 |
| Long Beach | $132,648 |
How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in California
Walk-away anchor: $116,462.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — California
What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in California?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in California is $130,437 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $88,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $206,500 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Electrical Engineer pay in California compare to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in California earn approximately 18% more than the US national median ($110,540 nationally vs $130,437 in California). California's cost-of-living index of 145 partially offsets the higher salary.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in California increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in California grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $22,884 in 2025 to $130,437 in 2026. This reflects the broader Engineering sector's wage growth, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
Which California cities pay Electrical Engineers the most?
Top-paying California metros for Electrical Engineers: San Francisco ($171K), Los Angeles ($141K), San Diego ($130K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in California?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. California's top industries include Tech, Entertainment, Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 5.4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does California have state income tax?
Yes, California has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $130,437, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with California employers.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in California?
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. Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for California: $116,462.
Methodology
California Electrical Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($110,540) adjusted by California's state multiplier (1.18×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Electrical Engineer Salary in Other States
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