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Electric Engineer Salary in California

How much does an Electric Engineer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Electric Engineer in California is $134,352 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

However, an Electric Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,458
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,616 to $145,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,663
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Electric Engineer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Electric Engineer Salaries

An Electric Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Electric Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Electric Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $89,563
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $108,563
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $132,051
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,232
  • Expert (over 8 years): $182,401
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Electrical Engineer I less than 1 year $89,563
Electrical Engineer II 1-2 years $108,563
Electric Engineer 2-4 years $132,051
Electrical Engineer IV 5-8 years $157,232
Electrical Engineer V over 8 years $182,401

How Do Electric Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Electric Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $134,864.
  • California: $134,352.
  • Massachusetts: $132,561.

Top Paying Cities for Electric Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $134,583
  • West Hollywood: $134,486
  • Dodgertown: $134,582

Electric Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Electric Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Electric Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Electric Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Electric Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $161,222 $78.0 20%
Healthcare $154,505 $74.0 15%
Biotechnology $147,787 $71.0 10%
Insurance $147,787 $71.0 10%
Pharmaceuticals $147,787 $71.0 10%

Electric Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Electric Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$125,616
Average $134,352/year
$145,400
$10,468
Average $11,196/month
$12,117
$2,416
Average $2,584/week
$2,796
$60
Average $65/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,400 $12,117 $2,796 $70
Average $134,352 $11,196 $2,584 $65
25th Percentile $125,616 $10,468 $2,416 $60

Find Your Next Electric Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Electric Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • PG&E Corporation | Oakland, CA

    Senior Electric Distribution Engineer Asset Strategy Engineering

    PG&E Corporation | Oakland, CA

    Requisition ID 173277 Job Category: Engineering / Science Job Level: Individual Contributor Business Unit: Energy Delivery Work Type: Hybrid Job Location: ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Zipline | San Francisco, CA

    Staff Supplier Industrialization Engineer

    Zipline | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Zipline. Zipline is the world's largest and most experienced drone delivery service. We are on a mission to serve a... more

    5 Days Ago

  • American Airlines | FORT WORTH, TX

    Engineer

    American Airlines | FORT WORTH, TX

    Intro. Are you ready to explore a world of possibilities, both at work and during your time off. Join our American Airlines family, and you'll travel the w... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Lane Enterprises Inc | BEALETON, VA

    Engineer

    Lane Enterprises Inc | BEALETON, VA

    Engineer Location: Remote - VA, United States Base Pay: $86000.00 - $110000.00 / Year Employee Type: FT Exempt Manage Others: No Description We are excited... more

    6 Days Ago

  • BHEGT | BRUSHY FORK, WV

    Engineer Engineer II Sr Engineer

    BHEGT | BRUSHY FORK, WV

    BHE GT&S has an exciting opportunity as a Risk Engineer that can be filled as an Engineer I, Engineer II or Sr Engineer at our White Oaks general office lo... more

    17 Days Ago

  • BHE GT&S | BRIDGEPORT, WV

    Engineer Engineer II Sr Engineer

    BHE GT&S | BRIDGEPORT, WV

    BHE GT&S JOB DESCRIPTION BHE GT&S has an exciting opportunity as a Risk Engineer that can be filled as an Engineer I, Engineer II or Sr Engineer at our Whi... more

    5 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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