Electrical Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA: $193,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in San Jose, CA earns a median $193,888/year (≈ $93.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $175,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 41.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $193,888 for 2026, the electrical engineer salary in San Jose illustrates a robust compensation structure compared to the national average of $125,033. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $121,167 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $267,521 at the 90th percentile, showing significant potential for high earners. Data from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, reflects a growth rate of 3.65%, indicating a strong demand for skilled electrical engineers in the area. This competitive market comes as no surprise, given the choice between the individual contributor (IC) track and management positions, both offering substantial pay increases as professionals advance their careers in various sectors, particularly in tech and semiconductor industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $121,167 | $58.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $162,886 | $78.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $193,888 | $93.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $226,133 | $108.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $267,521 | $128.62 |
Median Salary Position
55.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $146,354 (2026 est.). At $193,888, the local median is 55.07% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be above the median
How San Jose Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
San Jose median: $193,888/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,120 | +41.40% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +55.07% more |
Electrical Engineers in San Jose, CA earn a median of $193,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.07% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 41.40% above the California state average of $137,120.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $193,888 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $175,587 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,400
2025 BLS Actual
$187,060
2026 Current Est.
$193,888
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $155,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $160,218 | Actual |
| 2023 | $206,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $186,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $187,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $193,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $200,965 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 40.2% from $133,400 (2019) to $187,060 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $200,965 by 2027 — a total increase of $67,565 (50.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $121,167 – $162,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $162,886 – $193,888 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $193,888 – $226,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $226,133 – $267,521 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in San Jose
In San Jose, around 4,160 electrical engineers are employed, navigating a job market strengthened by major tech companies like Apple, Intel, and Nvidia. The city's cost of living index stands at 110.423, significantly impacting purchasing power, so higher salaries are essential for comfortable living. Major employers often pay the most, with the semiconductor sector leading in compensation, followed closely by defense contractors and advanced automotive firms. The wide pay gap is driven by factors such as the industry sector, required security clearances, and educational background, where those holding PhDs or specializing in semiconductor design often command top-tier salaries. To maximize their earning potential, engineers in San Jose should consider strategically developing their credentials, pursuing advanced degrees, and understanding sector dynamics, particularly when weighing the trade-off between pursuing management roles versus remaining in IC tracks.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $187,060 for electrical engineersin the San Jose 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, 6-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