Electrical Engineer Salary in Anaheim, CA: $147,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Anaheim, CA earns a median $147,461/year (≈ $70.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Anaheim's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $130,381 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $147,461, the electrical engineer salary in Anaheim exceeds the national average by nearly 18% in 2026, highlighting the city's prominent role in the semiconductor and technology sectors. The salary range for this profession in Anaheim spans from $87,871 at the 10th percentile to a striking $228,564 at the 90th percentile, offering considerable earning potential based on experience and specialization. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, paint a detailed portrait of the competitive job market. Industries such as chip design predominantly fuel higher salaries, while opportunities in defense and utility sectors remain viable yet less lucrative.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,871 | $42.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,816 | $52.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $147,461 | $70.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $188,750 | $90.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $228,564 | $109.89 |
Median Salary Position
17.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anaheim
In Anaheim, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,693 (2026 est.). At $147,461, the local median is 17.94% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anaheim: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anaheim Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Anaheim median: $147,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anaheim Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,173 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +17.94% more |
Electrical Engineers in Anaheim, CA earn a median of $147,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.94% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 7.50% above the California state average of $137,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anaheim has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anaheim, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $147,461 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,381 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,204
2025 BLS Actual
$142,268
2026 Current Est.
$147,461
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,204 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,433 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,134 | Actual |
| 2024 | $166,799 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anaheim metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $116,204 (2019) to $142,268 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,639 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anaheim 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $87,871 – $108,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,816 – $147,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $147,461 – $188,750 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $188,750 – $228,564 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Anaheim
The job market for electrical engineers in Anaheim, with around 51 professionals currently employed in this field, demonstrates relatively strong demand against the backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 113.1. This figure indicates that while salaries are above the national average, the increased living expenses can constrain take-home purchasing power. Employers such as Apple, Intel, and Nvidia pay premium rates within the chip design arena, while companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman offer significant compensation for cleared positions in defense. Factors contributing to the wide pay spectrum include industry type, with semiconductor and chip design consistently leading in compensation, and variables such as security clearance, educational level (PhD versus bachelor's), and the choice between individual contributor and management roles. Hence, those looking to maximize their electrical engineer pay in Anaheim, CA, should align themselves with top tech firms, acquire advanced degrees, and consider specialized certifications to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Anaheim, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $142,268 for electrical engineersin the Anaheim metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anaheim 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