Electrical Engineer Salary in Redwood City, CA: $134,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Redwood City, CA earns a median $134,154/year (≈ $64.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $118,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electrical engineers in Redwood City, CA, can expect a robust annual salary, with a 2026 median projected at $134,154. This figure is competitive, exceeding the national average for the same year by nearly 7.29%. Salaries can range significantly, from approximately $88,283 at the lower end to a top tier of $204,909, reflecting the demand for talent and specialization in this vibrant tech hub. Based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, these estimates also account for regional price parities, making them quite reflective of the local market context. As engineers consider their career paths, the IC (individual contributor) versus management track often leads to substantial differences in total compensation, emphasizing the importance of strategic career choices in this area.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,283 | $42.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,763 | $48.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,154 | $64.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,967 | $82.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,909 | $98.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,626 (2026 est.). At $134,154, the local median is 7.29% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $134,154/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,172 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | +7.29% more |
Electrical Engineers in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $134,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.29% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 2.20% below the California state average of $137,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $134,154 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $118,615 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,718
2025 BLS Actual
$129,430
2026 Current Est.
$134,154
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $129,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $105,718 (2019) to $129,430 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,333 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $88,283 – $101,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,763 – $134,154 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,154 – $170,967 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,967 – $204,909 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Redwood City
In Redwood City, where only 13 electrical engineers are currently employed, the job market reflects both opportunity and challenge. The local cost of living is elevated, with a CoL index of 113.1, significantly impacting the real purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that tend to pay the most are within the semiconductor industry, with tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Intel leading the pack. Other lucrative options include defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, as well as automotive companies like Tesla, which has been pivotal in reshaping pay structures for electrical engineers. Factors that contribute to salary variation include industry sector—semiconductor and chip design roles usually command higher pay than those in utilities or power systems—as well as security clearances and advanced degrees. To maximize earning potential in Redwood City, engineers should consider pursuing roles that offer equity and RSUs within prominent tech firms, or seek positions that require advanced certifications like the PE license, enhancing their marketability and compensation prospects.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 $129,430 for electrical engineersin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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