Electrical Engineer Salary in Fremont, CA: $172,124 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Fremont, CA earns a median $172,124/year (≈ $82.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Fremont's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,187 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Fremont, California, offers a competitive compensation package for electrical engineers, with a projected median annual salary of $172,124 for 2026. This figure significantly surpasses the national median by approximately 37.66%, illustrating the robust local demand for engineering talent. Salaries in this field range from $99,833 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $266,793 for those in the top tier of earnings (90th percentile). Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflect the city's thriving industries. Engineers here often choose between advancing in Individual Contributor (IC) roles or transitioning into management positions, a decision that can lead to considerable differences in total compensation.
About the Fremont Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,833 | $48.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,546 | $64.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,124 | $82.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $220,319 | $105.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $266,793 | $128.27 |
Median Salary Position
37.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fremont
In Fremont, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,960 (2026 est.). At $172,124, the local median is 37.66% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fremont: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fremont Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Fremont median: $172,124/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fremont Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,151 | +25.50% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +37.66% more |
Electrical Engineers in Fremont, CA earn a median of $172,124 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.66% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 25.50% above the California state average of $137,151.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fremont has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fremont, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,124 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,187 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,639
2025 BLS Actual
$166,063
2026 Current Est.
$172,124
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Fremont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,639 | Actual |
| 2020 | $138,806 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,241 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,231 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,792 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,124 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,407 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fremont metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $135,639 (2019) to $166,063 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,407 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,768 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fremont 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) | $99,833 – $133,546 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,546 – $172,124 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,124 – $220,319 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $220,319 – $266,793 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Fremont
With only 43 electrical engineers currently employed in Fremont, competition for top positions remains strong but manageable. The cost of living in the area is slightly elevated, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are high, purchasing power must be considered carefully. Employers such as Apple, Intel, and Tesla are known to offer some of the highest pay in this market, driven by the semiconductor industry's ongoing need for skilled engineers. The disparity between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to various factors: industry sector nuances, security clearance demands, and educational qualifications all play a role in compensation levels. To maximize pay, electrical engineers in Fremont should consider pursuing roles in semiconductor design, seeking out companies offering stock options, and advancing their qualifications through certifications while strategically managing their career trajectories between IC and management roles.
More salary data for Fremont, 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 $166,063 for electrical engineersin the Fremont 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 Fremont 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