Electrical Engineers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $128,750 +15% vs national
Median hourly $61.90
10th percentile $79,550
90th percentile $209,470
Employed locally 2,200
National median $111,910

Compare Electrical Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Electrical Engineers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $79,550
    25th
    $97,530
    50th (median)
    $128,750
    75th
    $165,710
    90th
    $209,470

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Electrical Engineers salary vs area income 126% Median Electrical Engineers salary is 26% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Electrical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $186,920
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $167,010
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $163,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $156,670
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $151,040
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $150,670

    Nearby metros — Electrical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $186,920
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $163,840
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $150,670
    California $140,360
    Vallejo, CA $139,840
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $134,900

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $106,350
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $153,110
    Mechanical Engineers $128,660
    Engineers, All Other $130,550
    Computer Hardware Engineers $169,230
    Industrial Engineers $114,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Electrical Engineers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Electrical Engineers in San Diego, CA is $61.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $98.37 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Electrical Engineers salaries?

    The median Electrical Engineers salary in San Diego, CA is 15% above the national median of $111,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Electrical Engineers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Electrical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $79,550 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $97,530.