Electrical Engineer Salary

Los Angeles vs Rocklin: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$144,882
$69.65/hr
Rocklin, CA
$134,394
$64.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARocklin, CA
Median Salary$144,882$134,394
Hourly Rate$69.65$64.62
Entry Level (P10)$82,122$88,957
25th Percentile$107,558$105,170
75th Percentile$186,072$166,382
Top Earner (P90)$217,105$208,311
Total Employed8,97010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($144,882) and Rocklin ($134,394) electrical engineer salaries.Los AngelesRocklinMedian Salary$144,882$134,394Entry Level (P10)$82,122$88,957Top Earner (P90)$217,105$208,311US Median $125,033

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Rocklin is $10,488 (7.80%). 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 Los Angeles spans $134,983,Rocklin spans $119,354. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$82,122
P25$107,558
Median$144,882
P75$186,072
P90 (Top)$217,105
Rocklin
P10 (Entry)$88,957
P25$105,170
Median$134,394
P75$166,382
P90 (Top)$208,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($127,575 effective) pays 7.36% more than Rocklin ($118,828 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $144,882
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $127,575
Rocklin
Nominal: $134,394
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $118,828

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Rocklin if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -15.2% growth in Rocklin over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+23.7%

$113,030 (2019) → $139,780 (2025)

Rocklin, CA

+-15.2%

$152,941 (2024) → $129,661 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $144,882/year, compared to Rocklin at $134,394/year — a difference of $10,488 (7.80%).

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

Los Angeles electrical engineers earn $69.65/hr while Rocklin hygienists earn $64.62/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Rocklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $127,575, Rocklin = $118,828), job availability (8,970 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $82,122 in Los Angeles and $88,957 in Rocklin. The Rocklin 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