Electrical Engineer Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $138,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $138,435/year (≈ $66.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $125,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, CA, the projected median annual compensation for electrical engineers in 2026 is $138,435, reflecting a competitive position within the industry, especially when compared to the national median of $125,033. The salary range extends from $107,703 at the 10th percentile to $211,259 at the 90th percentile, revealing significant variances based on expertise and roles. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates that factors like educational qualifications, industry sector, and whether an engineer follows an individual contributor (IC) or management track significantly influence earnings. The vibrant job market in Santa Cruz suggests a demand for talent in specialized sectors, particularly those with semiconductor and technology focuses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,703 | $51.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,536 | $60.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,435 | $66.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $177,480 | $85.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $211,259 | $101.57 |
Median Salary Position
10.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,556 (2026 est.). At $138,435, the local median is 10.72% above the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $138,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,200 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +10.72% more |
Electrical Engineers in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $138,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.72% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 0.90% above the California state average of $137,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $138,435 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,969 — a 9% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,310
2025 BLS Actual
$133,560
2026 Current Est.
$138,435
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.2% from $109,310 (2019) to $133,560 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,178 (31.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $107,703 – $126,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,536 – $138,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,435 – $177,480 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $177,480 – $211,259 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Santa Cruz
With 90 electrical engineers currently employed in Santa Cruz, the job market shows robust support for professionals in this discipline. However, the cost of living index of 109.896 signals that housing and other expenses in the area are notably higher than the national average, impacting the actual purchasing power of engineers. Local employers like Apple, Nvidia, and Intel are among the top contributors to higher salaries, especially within semiconductor and chip design roles that command premiums. Conversely, defense contractors and utility companies offer stability but often lag in immediate compensation. To maximize earnings in Santa Cruz, engineers may consider pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining specialized certifications, and engaging in roles that offer equity options, especially at tech giants that frequently provide stock as part of their compensation packages. Understanding the nuances of market demands and aligning skills accordingly can result in substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, 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 $133,560 for electrical engineersin the Santa Cruz 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