Electrical Engineers Salary in California
Electrical Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $144,040 —19.4% above the national median of $120,630. That ranks CA #2 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.04×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for electrical engineers
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $158,520 | $76.21 | 2,560 | 2.30 |
| 2 | California | $144,040 | $69.25 | 24,230 | 1.04 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $143,000 | $68.75 | 330 | 0.37 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $135,710 | $65.25 | 1,600 | 1.83 |
| 5 | Washington | $132,710 | $63.81 | 7,610 | 1.68 |
| 6 | Texas | $129,450 | $62.24 | 20,870 | 1.16 |
| 7 | Idaho | $129,340 | $62.18 | 1,000 | 0.91 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $127,720 | $61.40 | 5,040 | 1.08 |
| 9 | Delaware | $126,970 | $61.04 | 660 | 1.07 |
| 10 | Alaska | $125,970 | $60.56 | 350 | 0.83 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $66,150 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do electrical engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for electrical engineers in California is $144,040, or $69.25 per hour. That is 19.4% above the national median of $120,630.
What is the entry-level electrical engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $81,840 per year ($39.35/hour). The 25th percentile is $106,100.
How many people work as electrical engineers in California?
About 24,230 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.3 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for electrical engineers?
California ranks #2 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.04x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays electrical engineers the most?
New Mexico has the highest median wage at $158,520 per year, followed by California ($144,040) and District of Columbia ($143,000).