Electrical Engineer Salary

Livermore vs Los Angeles: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Livermore, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Livermore, CA
$135,143
$64.97/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$144,882
$69.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLivermore, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$135,143$144,882
Hourly Rate$64.97$69.65
Entry Level (P10)$86,149$82,122
25th Percentile$103,694$107,558
75th Percentile$172,984$186,072
Top Earner (P90)$208,820$217,105
Total Employed218,970
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Livermore ($135,143) and Los Angeles ($144,882) electrical engineer salaries.LivermoreLos AngelesMedian Salary$135,143$144,882Entry Level (P10)$86,149$82,122Top Earner (P90)$208,820$217,105US Median $125,033

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Livermore.

The salary gap between Livermore and Los Angeles is $9,739 (7.21%). Los Angeles's median is +15.88% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Livermore spans $122,671,Los Angeles spans $134,983. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

Livermore
P10 (Entry)$86,149
P25$103,694
Median$135,143
P75$172,984
P90 (Top)$208,820
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$82,122
P25$107,558
Median$144,882
P75$186,072
P90 (Top)$217,105

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($127,575 effective) pays 6.77% more than Livermore ($119,490 effective).

Livermore
Nominal: $135,143
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $119,490
Los Angeles
Nominal: $144,882
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $127,575

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Livermore if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($144,882/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($217,105)
  • Larger job market (8,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $127,575)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Livermore grew -15.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.7% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Livermore, CA

+-15.2%

$153,794 (2024) → $130,384 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+23.7%

$113,030 (2019) → $139,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Livermore or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $144,882/year, compared to Livermore at $135,143/year — a difference of $9,739 (7.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Livermore and Los Angeles?

Livermore electrical engineers earn $64.97/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $69.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Livermore to Los Angeles as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Livermore and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Livermore = $119,490, Los Angeles = $127,575), job availability (21 vs 8,970 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Livermore vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $86,149 in Livermore and $82,122 in Los Angeles. The Livermore area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov