Electrical Engineer Salary in Long Beach, CA: $145,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Long Beach, CA earns a median $145,363/year (≈ $69.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $128,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, the projected annual salary for electrical engineers in 2026 is set at $145,363, reflecting a significant premium exceeding the national median salary of $125,033 by approximately 16.26%. The salary range for this role varies considerably, from a lower threshold of $84,311 to a high of $225,312, indicating robust opportunities within the market. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrating the unique economic landscape of Long Beach. With approximately 89 electrical engineers currently employed in this area, the local job market appears competitive, particularly for positions requiring advanced qualifications and skills.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,311 | $40.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,314 | $54.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,363 | $69.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,064 | $89.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,312 | $108.32 |
Median Salary Position
16.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $141,001 (2026 est.). At $145,363, the local median is 16.26% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $145,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,135 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +16.26% more |
Electrical Engineers in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $145,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.26% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 6.00% above the California state average of $137,135.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $145,363 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,526 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,551
2025 BLS Actual
$140,244
2026 Current Est.
$145,363
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,551 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,748 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $164,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $140,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,669 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $114,551 (2019) to $140,244 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,118 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $84,311 – $113,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,314 – $145,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,363 – $186,064 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,064 – $225,312 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Long Beach
The cost of living in Long Beach, with an index of 113.1, suggests that while salaries are higher, they must account for elevated residential and lifestyle expenses. As a result, take-home purchasing power can be impacted despite the attractive salary figures. Top employers in the region include semiconductor firms like Intel and Nvidia, leading to higher compensation due to the tech industry's influence. Additionally, defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin also offer competitive pay, especially for roles requiring security clearances. To maximize earnings, electrical engineers should consider specializing in high-demand sectors like semiconductor or power systems, where advanced degrees and credentials such as a PE license are particularly valued. Adopting a focus on either the management or individual contributor track can further influence salary progression, as well as negotiating equity compensation in major tech firms, enhancing overall financial packages in Long Beach's vibrant engineering market.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $140,244 for electrical engineersin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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