Electrical Engineer Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $170,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $170,898/year (≈ $82.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $158,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Santa Rosa, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $170,898, significantly above the national average of $125,033. The salary range for this profession varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $99,442 and the top 90% earning up to $209,104. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlights Santa Rosa's competitive job market. For engineers navigating career paths, the choice between the individual contributor (IC) track and management roles can drive substantial disparities in total compensation, catering to both technical and leadership ambitions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,442 | $47.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,259 | $55.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,898 | $82.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,898 | $82.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,104 | $100.53 |
Median Salary Position
36.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,662 (2026 est.). At $170,898, the local median is 36.68% above the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $170,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $137,157 | +24.60% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +36.68% more |
Electrical Engineers in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $170,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.68% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 24.60% above the California state average of $137,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,898 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,556 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,800
2025 BLS Actual
$164,880
2026 Current Est.
$170,898
2019–2027 Growth
+72.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 60.4% from $102,800 (2019) to $164,880 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $74,336 (72.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $99,442 – $115,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,259 – $170,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,898 – $170,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,898 – $209,104 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa's local job market currently employs approximately 100 electrical engineers, indicating a stable demand for professionals in the field. The cost-of-living index stands at 107.784, suggesting that while salaries for electrical engineers are higher than the national norm, the take-home purchasing power is somewhat moderated by local expenses. Leading employers in the area include tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, along with defense contractors and utility companies, each offering varying compensation based on industry demands. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialization in semiconductor and chip design, which commands a premium, alongside roles requiring security clearance that offer competitive salaries. As engineers consider career moves, focusing on industries with higher pay scales, such as tech and defense, can be advantageous. Additionally, advancing one's education and credentials, such as pursuing a PE license or earning a graduate degree, could unlock higher compensation potential within this thriving region.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $164,880 for electrical engineersin the Santa Rosa 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