Electrical Engineer Salary

San Francisco vs Yucaipa: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between San Francisco, CA and Yucaipa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$172,090
$82.73/hr
Yucaipa, CA
$136,153
$65.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYucaipa, CA
Median Salary$172,090$136,153
Hourly Rate$82.73$65.45
Entry Level (P10)$101,059$82,052
25th Percentile$129,272$108,664
75th Percentile$211,954$174,275
Top Earner (P90)$227,066$211,037
Total Employed2,47014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($172,090) and Yucaipa ($136,153) electrical engineer salaries.San FranciscoYucaipaMedian Salary$172,090$136,153Entry Level (P10)$101,059$82,052Top Earner (P90)$227,066$211,037US Median $125,033

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yucaipa.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yucaipa is $35,937 (26.39%). San Francisco's median is +37.64% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $126,007,Yucaipa spans $128,985. Yucaipa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$101,059
P25$129,272
Median$172,090
P75$211,954
P90 (Top)$227,066
Yucaipa
P10 (Entry)$82,052
P25$108,664
Median$136,153
P75$174,275
P90 (Top)$211,037

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($148,850 effective) pays 23.65% more than Yucaipa ($120,383 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $172,090
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $148,850
Yucaipa
Nominal: $136,153
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $120,383

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($172,090/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($227,066)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,850)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yucaipa if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in San Francisco grew 35.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -15.2% growth in Yucaipa over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+35.7%

$122,350 (2019) → $166,030 (2025)

Yucaipa, CA

+-15.2%

$154,944 (2024) → $131,358 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: San Francisco or Yucaipa?

San Francisco has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $172,090/year, compared to Yucaipa at $136,153/year — a difference of $35,937 (26.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yucaipa?

San Francisco electrical engineers earn $82.73/hr while Yucaipa hygienists earn $65.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Yucaipa as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yucaipa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $148,850, Yucaipa = $120,383), job availability (2,470 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in San Francisco vs Yucaipa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $101,059 in San Francisco and $82,052 in Yucaipa. The San Francisco 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