Graduate Electrical Engineering Salary in California

How much does a Graduate Electrical Engineering make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graduate Electrical Engineering in California is $93,250 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, a Graduate Electrical Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,662
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,128 to $102,364
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,733

Key Factors That Influence Graduate Electrical Engineering Salaries

A Graduate Electrical Engineering'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 Graduate Electrical Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graduate Electrical Engineering'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): $91,351
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $110,729
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $134,688
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $160,371
  • Expert (over 8 years): $186,038
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Graduate Electrical Engineering less than 1 year $91,351
Electrical Engineer II 1-2 years $110,729
Electrical Engineer III 2-4 years $134,688
Electrical Engineer IV 5-8 years $160,371
Electrical Engineer V over 8 years $186,038

Top Paying Cities for Graduate Electrical Engineering

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: $93,410
  • West Hollywood: $93,343
  • Dodgertown: $93,409

Graduate Electrical Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graduate Electrical Engineering 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 Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Graduate Electrical Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graduate Electrical Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graduate Electrical Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services $111,900 $54.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $111,900 $54.0 20%
Biotechnology $107,237 $52.0 15%
Software & Networking $107,237 $52.0 15%
Energy & Utilities $102,575 $49.0 10%

Graduate Electrical Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graduate Electrical Engineering'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 September 01, 2026
$85,128
Average $93,250/year
$102,364
$7,094
Average $7,771/month
$8,530
$1,637
Average $1,793/week
$1,969
$41
Average $45/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $102,364 $8,530 $1,969 $49
Average $93,250 $7,771 $1,793 $45
25th Percentile $85,128 $7,094 $1,637 $41

Find Your Next Graduate Electrical Engineering Job

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

  • Arista Networks | Santa Clara, CA

    Arista Networks | Santa Clara, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Arista Networks is an industry leader in data-driven, client-to-cloud networking for large data cent... more

    3 Days Ago

  • University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA

    University of California, Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA

    Position overviewPosition title:Electrical and Computer Engineering Pre-six LecturerSalary range:A reasonable estimate for an appointment to teach a standa... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Intel | Sacramento, CA

    Intel | Sacramento, CA

    Software Engineering InternEmbark with us on a journey of growth and transformation as we create exceptionally engineered technology and bring AI everywher... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Tempo | San Diego, CA

    Tempo | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Tempo. Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for ene... more

    1 Day Ago

  • SALUS ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL | Santa Clara, CA

    SALUS ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL | Santa Clara, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About the Role. Join SALUS Engineering International as a. Mechanical/Electrical. Engineer in Santa Clara, CA, where inno... more

    4 Days Ago

  • THOR Solutions, LLC | San Diego, CA

    THOR Solutions, LLC | San Diego, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. THOR Solutions. is actively seeking an. ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN VI (Electrical Controls). with U.S. Navy shipboard experie... 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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