Electrical Engineer Salary in San Rafael, CA: $139,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in San Rafael, CA earns a median $139,151/year (≈ $66.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $123,034 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in San Rafael, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $139,151, slightly above the national median of $125,033. Salaries in this region reflect a wide range, with earnings stretching from $88,633 at the lower end to $208,867 for top-tier roles. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local living costs, highlight San Rafael's competitive market, which has likely cleared many electrical engineering positions positioned to accommodate the demand from sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing and advanced technology. With an impressive salary offering, the job market in San Rafael is notably conducive to attracting skilled engineers.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,633 | $42.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,395 | $51.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,151 | $66.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $175,131 | $84.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $208,867 | $100.42 |
Median Salary Position
11.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,234 (2026 est.). At $139,151, the local median is 11.29% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $139,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,095 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +11.29% more |
Electrical Engineers in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $139,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.29% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 1.50% above the California state average of $137,095.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,151 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,034 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,656
2025 BLS Actual
$134,251
2026 Current Est.
$139,151
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,656 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,215 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $109,656 (2019) to $134,251 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,574 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $88,633 – $106,395 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,395 – $139,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,151 – $175,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $175,131 – $208,867 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in San Rafael
Employment for electrical engineers in San Rafael remains concentrated, with only 11 professionals currently in the area, indicating a niche market. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than average, they are counterbalanced by living expenses. Key employers such as Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla offer some of the highest pay scales, particularly in chip design and advanced technology, where earning potential is driven by the security clearance premium and the skills of those holding advanced degrees. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to the industry sector, with semiconductor companies leading the pack, followed by defense contractors and tech firms. In this context, engineers looking to maximize electrical engineer pay in San Rafael, CA, should focus on obtaining relevant certifications like a PE license, exploring opportunities in rapidly growing tech sectors, and considering the benefit of equity compensation offered by major players in the market.
More salary data for San Rafael, 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 $134,251 for electrical engineersin the San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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