Electrical Engineer Salary in Fontana, CA: $142,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fontana, CA earns a median $142,626/year (≈ $68.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $126,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Fontana, California, offers an appealing salary landscape for electrical engineers, with a median annual salary projected at $142,626 for 2026. This figure surpasses the national average significantly, with local salaries stretching from $83,216 at the lower end (P10) to $221,070 for the highest earners (P90). These numbers derive from state-level data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, adjusted for regional cost factors. Given the city's proximity to key tech and defense industries, it’s essential for professionals to evaluate not just the numbers but also the specific roles and employer demands shaping the market.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,216 | $40.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,884 | $49.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $142,626 | $68.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $182,561 | $87.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $221,070 | $106.28 |
Median Salary Position
14.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $137,854 (2026 est.). At $142,626, the local median is 14.07% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fontana Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fontana median: $142,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,140 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +14.07% more |
Electrical Engineers in Fontana, CA earn a median of $142,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.07% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 4.00% above the California state average of $137,140.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $142,626 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $126,106 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$112,393
2025 BLS Actual
$137,603
2026 Current Est.
$142,626
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,017 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $137,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $142,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,831 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $112,393 (2019) to $137,603 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,831 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,438 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $83,216 – $103,884 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,884 – $142,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $142,626 – $182,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $182,561 – $221,070 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fontana
The job market in Fontana is relatively small, with only 32 electrical engineers employed in the area, reflecting a concentrated but specialized workforce. The area's cost-of-living index of 113.1 signals higher living expenses compared to the national average, impacting the purchasing power of salaries here. Employers like major tech companies and defense contractors often pay top dollar, particularly in semiconductor design roles at firms like Intel and Nvidia, where employees may experience substantial compensation packages that include stock options and bonuses. Security clearance positions in defense enterprises can also yield higher wages due to the specialized nature of the work. Maximizing pay in Fontana requires a focus on gaining relevant experience in high-demand sectors, possibly pursuing additional credentials like a PE license, and reflecting on the preferences toward technical or managerial career paths within electrical engineering.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Fontana, CA in 2026?
Is Fontana, CA a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Can electrical engineers make $100K in Fontana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrical engineer salary in Fontana?
How much does a electrical engineer make per hour in Fontana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $137,603 for electrical engineersin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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