Electrical Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA: $172,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in San Francisco, CA earns a median $172,090/year (≈ $82.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $148,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in San Francisco, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $172,090, significantly surpassing the national median of $125,033. This market offers a salary range from $101,059 at the 10th percentile to $227,066 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities and pay scales within the industry. Primary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showcases not only robust compensation but also emphasizes the high demand for engineers in roles requiring security clearances, particularly within defense and high-tech sectors. As San Francisco continues to emerge as a technology hub, the hiring landscape remains competitive, especially for skilled professionals who possess in-demand expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,059 | $48.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,272 | $62.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,090 | $82.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,954 | $101.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $227,066 | $109.16 |
Median Salary Position
37.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,007 (2026 est.). At $172,090, the local median is 37.64% above the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $172,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,124 | +25.50% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +37.64% more |
Electrical Engineers in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $172,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.64% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 25.50% above the California state average of $137,124.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,090 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,850 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$122,350
2025 BLS Actual
$166,030
2026 Current Est.
$172,090
2019–2027 Growth
+45.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $122,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $146,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,371 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 35.7% from $122,350 (2019) to $166,030 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,371 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,021 (45.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $101,059 – $129,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,272 – $172,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,090 – $211,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,954 – $227,066 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
With approximately 2,470 electrical engineers employed in the area, the job market in San Francisco presents various opportunities despite a challenging cost of living index of 115.613. While tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla drive higher salaries in semiconductor and automotive sectors, roles in the defense industry tend to attract premium compensation, particularly for those holding security clearances. The variance between the lowest and highest salaries often correlates with industry and specialization, such as the distinction between chip design and utility roles. Engineers looking to maximize their pay should consider aligning with fast-growing sectors, pursuing advanced degrees, or gaining security clearances, as these factors can substantially enhance earning potential within the competitive landscape of electrical engineer pay in San Francisco CA.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $166,030 for electrical engineersin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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