Electrical Engineer Salary in California
Based on 24K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$144,040
$69.25/hr
vs National Average
$114,434
+25.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$82K – $218K
24K employed in California
Electrical engineers in California earn a median salary of $181,316 annually, reflecting the state's robust technology and engineering sectors. This figure is 17% above the national average, positioning California among the most lucrative markets for this profession. Based on current employment data of 241 workers, the electrical engineer salary in California demonstrates strong compensation across the state's major tech hubs and industrial centers.
Several factors influence electrical engineer salary in California, including years of experience, industry specialization, and geographic location within the state. Proximity to major employment centers like Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area typically correlates with higher compensation packages. Additionally, the cost of living, company size, and whether positions involve emerging technologies such as renewable energy or semiconductor design significantly impact earning potential in this competitive market.
Salary Distribution — Electrical Engineer in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,840 |
| 25th percentile | $106,100 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $144,040 |
| 75th percentile | $185,520 |
| 90th percentile | $217,760 |
Top H-1B Employers for Electrical Engineer in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | 245 | $159,890 |
| 2 | Tesla, Inc. | 55 | $185,000 |
| 3 | Microsoft Corporation | 32 | $227,284 |
| 4 | Meta Platforms, Inc | 31 | $219,000 |
| 5 | Rivian Automotive, LLC | 18 | $175,896 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Electrical Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $124,800 | 51 |
| Level II | Qualified | $156,624 | 175 |
| Level III | Experienced | $185,120 | 167 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $217,630 | 167 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Electrical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Electrical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Electrical Engineers in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $165,890 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $134,040 | 720 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $130,610 | 10K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $126,920 | 10K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $126,210 | 4K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Electrical Engineer in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $133,400 |
| 2023 | $139,140 |
| 2024 | $140,360 |
| 2025 | $144,040 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,816 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $133,400 | $101,706 |
| 2023 | $139,140 | $106,188 |
| 2024 | $140,360 | $111,022 |
| 2025 | $144,040 | $114,434 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,816 | $117,434 |
Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $106,100 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $144,040 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $185,520 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $217,760 |
Electrical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Electrical Engineer Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Electrical Engineer ($144,040 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Electrical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in CA | $210,280 | +46.0% | $101.10/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in CA | $172,400 | +19.7% | $82.88/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in CA | $157,620 | +9.4% | $75.78/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in CA | $143,590 | -0.3% | $69.03/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in CA | $130,900 | -9.1% | $62.93/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in CA | $130,410 | -9.5% | $62.70/hr |
| Materials Engineer in CA | $128,470 | -10.8% | $61.76/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in CA | $128,310 | -10.9% | $61.69/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in CA | $124,600 | -13.5% | $59.90/hr |
| Civil Engineer in CA | $122,500 | -15.0% | $58.89/hr |
| Marine Engineer in CA | $110,700 | -23.1% | $53.22/hr |
| Data Scientist in CA | $141,590 | -1.7% | $68.07/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in California?
- Electrical engineers in California earn a median salary of $181,316 per year, or $87 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 16.8% premium for working in California.
What is the salary range for electrical engineers in California?
- The salary range for electrical engineers in California extends up to $195,158 per year at the high end. This upper range figure reflects experienced professionals or those in senior positions within the state.
How many electrical engineers are employed in California?
- There are currently 241 electrical engineers employed in California according to available data. This represents the total workforce count for this profession in the state.
Is the electrical engineer salary in California above the national average?
- Yes, California's electrical engineer median salary of $181,316 per year is 16.8% above the national average. This makes California one of the higher-paying states for this profession.