Electrical Engineer Salary

Pittsburg vs Sacramento: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Pittsburg, CA and Sacramento, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pittsburg, CA
$137,902
$66.29/hr
Sacramento, CA
$141,161
$67.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburg, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$137,902$141,161
Hourly Rate$66.29$67.87
Entry Level (P10)$85,384$84,102
25th Percentile$103,917$108,076
75th Percentile$175,002$177,832
Top Earner (P90)$209,928$204,118
Total Employed191,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburg ($137,902) and Sacramento ($141,161) electrical engineer salaries.PittsburgSacramentoMedian Salary$137,902$141,161Entry Level (P10)$85,384$84,102Top Earner (P90)$209,928$204,118US Median $125,033

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pittsburg.

The salary gap between Pittsburg and Sacramento is $3,259 (2.36%). Sacramento's median is +12.90% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pittsburg spans $124,544,Sacramento spans $120,016. Pittsburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pittsburg
P10 (Entry)$85,384
P25$103,917
Median$137,902
P75$175,002
P90 (Top)$209,928
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$84,102
P25$108,076
Median$141,161
P75$177,832
P90 (Top)$204,118

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($132,334 effective) pays 8.53% more than Pittsburg ($121,929 effective).

Pittsburg
Nominal: $137,902
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $121,929
Sacramento
Nominal: $141,161
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $132,334

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($209,928)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,161/year)
  • Larger job market (1,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $132,334)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Pittsburg grew -15.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.2% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Pittsburg, CA

+-15.2%

$156,934 (2024) → $133,046 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+37.2%

$99,260 (2019) → $136,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Pittsburg or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $141,161/year, compared to Pittsburg at $137,902/year — a difference of $3,259 (2.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburg and Sacramento?

Pittsburg electrical engineers earn $66.29/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $67.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburg to Sacramento as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburg and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburg = $121,929, Sacramento = $132,334), job availability (19 vs 1,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Pittsburg vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $85,384 in Pittsburg and $84,102 in Sacramento. The Pittsburg area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov