Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $144,040 | $118,932 | +21% |
| Median hourly wage | $69.25 | $57.18 | +21% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $130,117.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $171,337 | $116,250 | $224,750 | 244 |
| Oakland | $154,756 | $105,000 | $203,000 | 196 |
| Los Angeles | $141,491 | $96,000 | $185,600 | 173 |
| Long Beach | $132,648 | $90,000 | $174,000 | 153 |
| San Diego | $130,437 | $88,500 | $171,100 | 161 |
| Sacramento | $119,383 | $81,000 | $156,600 | 130 |
| Fresno | $105,013 | $71,250 | $137,750 | 105 |
The median annual salary for a Electrical Engineer in California is $144,040, or about $69.25 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Electrical Engineers is $118,932. California is +21% above the national median.
Entry-level electrical engineers in California typically earn from $116,250 depending on the city and employer.
With 24,230 electrical engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $144,040, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.