isworthit

Is Electrical Engineering a Good Career in California?

California · 2026 BLS salary data

Electrical Engineering pay in California

The median wage is $144,040/yr — 19% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Californiaone of the highest-paying states (#2 of 49).

The numbers in California

Real BLS state-level figures for Electrical Engineering.

Median salary
$144,040/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$106,100 – $185,520
National median
$120,630/yr
Employed in California
24,230

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in California

Salary alone can mislead — California costs 11% more than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
110.7
Nominal median
$144,040
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $130,117
State income tax
Up to 13.3%

California's high pay is offset by cost of living — adjusted for prices it ranks #9 of 49, down from #2 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Electrical Engineering nationally — California pay is 19% above the national median. See the full Electrical Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — electrical engineering offers high pay from a bachelor's degree and demand riding the chip, energy, and electrification booms. It's one of the harder degrees, but the payoff and stability are excellent.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay from a bachelor's degree
  • Demand from chips, energy, and electrification
  • Versatile across hardware, power, and embedded systems
  • Faster-than-average projected growth
  • Strong path into specialized, high-paying niches

Cons

  • One of the most rigorous, math-heavy degrees
  • Steep learning curve
  • Some roles require on-site or lab work
  • PE license needed for certain positions

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Strong math students who like abstract systems
  • People wanting high pay from a bachelor's
  • Anyone drawn to electronics, power, or hardware

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who struggle with heavy math
  • Those wanting a low-effort degree

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Electrical Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.