Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Fairfield, CA: $67.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Fairfield, CA runs $67.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,408 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Fairfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,844 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairfield, California, electrical engineers command a competitive hourly rate, with the median sitting at $67.98. This surpasses the national hourly median of $60.11, reflecting both the local industry's demand and the cost of living in the area. For part-time professionals working three days per week, this rate can translate to an attractive income, especially in environments like tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabs, and remote CAD engineering. The hourly range for this role varies significantly, starting from $42.03 for entry-level positions and reaching as high as $103.58 for seasoned engineers in specialized fields such as defense contracting or advanced chip design. These estimates are derived from projected annual salaries, adjusted for hourly work scenarios, and highlight the financial advantages of pursuing electrical engineering roles within Fairfield.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.03 | $336.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.14 | $409.13 |
| Median (P50) | $67.98 | $543.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.11 | $688.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103.58 | $828.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairfield
Based on $67.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.98/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $141,407 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,581. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,719.36 | $11,784 | $141,407 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,631.62 | $7,070 | $84,844 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,087.74 | $4,714 | $56,563 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Fairfield) | $67.98 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $141,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.10% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 3.10% above the California state average of $137,156.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.98/hr = $84,844/year (purchasing power: $75,017).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,407/year (purchasing power: $125,028).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Fairfield grew 22.4% from $53.57/hr (2019) to $65.59/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.47/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in Fairfield
Considering the potential for part-time work, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week could earn a considerable amount annually, though it would be less than a full-time position. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Fairfield commonly ranges from $90 to $170 per hour, and those with security clearance can see rates soar to between $150 and $280 per hour. Specialized consultants, particularly in semiconductor design or litigation support, can command even higher fees, often between $200 and $600 per hour. The diversity of employers in Fairfield also leads to varying pay scales; tech companies typically pay a premium compared to utilities or traditional engineering firms. While many engineers weigh the benefits of higher hourly compensation against job security and health insurance offered by more traditional roles, understanding the local market and negotiating effectively can significantly impact their overall earnings in this multifaceted profession.
More salary data for Fairfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in Fairfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov