Electrical Engineer Salary in Brentwood, CA: $136,805 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Brentwood, CA earns a median $136,805/year (≈ $65.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $120,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Brentwood, California, can expect an impressive median annual salary of $136,805, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national average of $125,033. This local figure demonstrates not just market demand but also a potential premium for specialized roles, particularly in sectors requiring security clearance. Salaries for electrical engineers in this region span a broad range, from $83,496 at the 10th percentile to $212,047 at the 90th percentile, indicative of varied roles and experience levels. These projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest that Brentwood's job market offers appealing compensation prospects for engineers, particularly those with expertise in high-demand industries such as semiconductor technology or defense.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,496 | $40.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,764 | $48.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,805 | $65.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,283 | $82.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $212,047 | $101.95 |
Median Salary Position
9.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,551 (2026 est.). At $136,805, the local median is 9.42% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $136,805/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,216 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | +9.42% more |
Electrical Engineers in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $136,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.42% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 0.30% below the California state average of $137,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $136,805 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,959 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,806
2025 BLS Actual
$131,987
2026 Current Est.
$136,805
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,019 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,987 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,805 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $107,806 (2019) to $131,987 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,992 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $83,496 – $101,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,764 – $136,805 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,805 – $172,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,283 – $212,047 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Brentwood
With only 13 electrical engineers currently employed in Brentwood, the local market stands relatively small, yet it maintains distinctive competitive characteristics. The cost of living index in this area is 113.1, significantly higher than the national average, which means higher salaries might be essential for maintaining purchasing power. Notably, major employers such as Tesla and semiconductor firms like Intel and Nvidia command some of the highest pay levels within the industry due to their focus on advanced chip and hardware design. The pay discrepancy is often shaped by the nature of work—those in the semiconductor sector generally earn more than their counterparts in utility companies. Engineers aiming to maximize their salary potential in Brentwood should consider pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining security clearances, or transitioning to management roles, all of which could contribute to higher pay and career advancement in this evolving market.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can electrical engineers make $100K in Brentwood?
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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 $131,987 for electrical engineersin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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