Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Sunnyvale, CA: $95.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Sunnyvale, CA runs $95.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $198,440 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Sunnyvale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $84.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $119,059 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sunnyvale, California, the projected median hourly pay for electrical engineers reaches $95.40, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $60.11. This comparative pay scale reflects the intense demand for expertise in local tech environments such as hardware labs, semiconductor fabs, and defense contractor facilities. For those considering part-time work, such as three days a week, opportunities abound to command this attractive hourly rate or higher, especially in positions requiring security clearance or technical proficiency. The hourly range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $59.46, while top earners can make up to $147.88 per hour, indicating a lucrative field with potential growth for skilled engineers.
About the Sunnyvale 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) | $59.46 | $475.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.07 | $576.54 |
| Median (P50) | $95.40 | $763.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122.12 | $976.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147.88 | $1183.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sunnyvale
Based on $95.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $95.40/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sunnyvale, CA can expect to earn approximately $198,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $114,479. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sunnyvale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sunnyvale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,815.98 | $16,536 | $198,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,289.59 | $9,922 | $119,059 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,526.39 | $6,614 | $79,372 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Sunnyvale) | $95.40 |
| 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 Sunnyvale, CA earn a median of $198,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.71% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 44.70% above the California state average of $137,139.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $95.40/hr = $119,059/year (purchasing power: $105,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $198,431/year (purchasing power: $175,447).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$75.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$92.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$95.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Sunnyvale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $76.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $76.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $78.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $81.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $77.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $92.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Sunnyvale grew 22.4% from $75.18/hr (2019) to $92.04/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $98.88/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 Sunnyvale 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 Sunnyvale
Looking deeper into the earning potential, part-time electrical engineers working 24 hours a week translate their hourly wages into a substantial annual income, though it won’t match the consistent gains of full-time employees. Per-diem electrical engineer pay in Sunnyvale presents unique opportunities, with contractors able to bill as high as $170 for standard roles, and more specialized fields seeing rates from $200 to $400 per hour. These variations often depend on the employer, with high-tech firms like Apple and Nvidia leading the pack in compensation. Conversely, larger firms in utility and automotive sectors, including Tesla and PG&E, may offer less attractive hourly rates but often include benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, making the decision between immediate pay and long-term security a critical one for many engineers. Negotiation strategies for hourly work can leverage these distinctions, especially in a robust market where skills in chip design or security-cleared defense projects can yield significant rewards.
More salary data for Sunnyvale, 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 Sunnyvale. 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 Sunnyvale 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