Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Salinas, CA: $63.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Salinas, CA runs $63.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $131,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Salinas's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.0, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,648 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Salinas, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $63.02, surpassing the national median hourly figure of $60.11. This competitive rate is attractive for both part-time workers and those seeking per-diem positions. For engineers working three days a week, even at part-time hours, the earnings can be substantial, particularly in environments like tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, or SCIFs in defense contracting. The hourly rate varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $43.05 and top earners reaching up to $104.04. This official BLS data emphasizes the economic vitality and diverse opportunities available for electrical engineers in Salinas, CA.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.05 | $344.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.71 | $413.69 |
| Median (P50) | $63.02 | $504.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.05 | $640.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.04 | $832.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salinas
Based on $63.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.02/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salinas, CA can expect to earn approximately $131,080 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,623. With a cost-of-living index of 109.04 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salinas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salinas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,520.77 | $10,923 | $131,080 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,512.46 | $6,554 | $78,648 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,008.31 | $4,369 | $52,432 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Salinas) | $63.02 |
| 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 Salinas, CA earn a median of $131,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.83% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 4.40% below the California state average of $137,109.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.02/hr = $78,648/year (purchasing power: $72,126).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $131,080/year (purchasing power: $120,211).
CoL index: 109.042 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$65.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Salinas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Salinas grew -7.6% from $65.83/hr (2019) to $60.80/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.32/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 Salinas 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 Salinas
Part-time electrical engineers working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $78,581 annually, a respectable income that provides flexibility while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Many professionals also explore per-diem or contract opportunities that allow for even higher earnings; such roles often bill between $90 to $170 an hour, depending on specialization. Security-cleared defense contractors can command rates upwards of $150 to $280 an hour, while those working on specialized chip design may negotiate even higher fees ranging from $200 to $400 per hour. Employers vary widely, with tech giants like Apple and Tesla generally offering higher pay compared to utilities or power companies. Likewise, negotiating between hourly rates and benefits is a key consideration, prompting some engineers to choose roles with lower pay for health insurance options. For those entrenched in the semiconductor industry or with security clearances, a focus on hourly work can yield lucrative payouts, making Salinas an appealing market for skilled electrical engineers.
More salary data for Salinas, 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 Salinas. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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