Electrical Engineer Salary

Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $66,204 (2026)

Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the San Bernardino, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,204 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out San Bernardino's local price level (BEA RPP 113.113% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,536 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,146) within a few years of clinical practice.

$66,204
Starting Salary
$31.83/hr
Starting Hourly
$66,204
Entry Level
$114,146
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electrical Engineer Entry Level Salary in San Bernardino, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
San Bernardino, CA electrical engineer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For new graduates entering the electrical engineering field in San Bernardino, a starting electrical engineer salary is projected at around $66,204 in 2026, a figure that significantly trails the city's median annual salary of $114,146. This initial pay level may serve as a realistic expectation for entry-level candidates, establishing a clear pathway toward growth over the first three to five years in the industry. As early-career professionals gain experience, salaries can rise to approximately $88,702 at the 25th percentile and potentially approach the median figure, providing a feasible trajectory for new hires in CA. Currently, San Bernardino represents a viable market for new electrical engineering graduates, with employers seeking talent ready to contribute to various sectors.

About the San Bernardino Market

Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in San Bernardino

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$66,204/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$88,702/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$114,146/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$146,106/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electrical engineers in San Bernardino. The median salary is $114,146, compared to the national median of $125,033.$59.6K$91.1K$122.7K$154.2K$185.8K$66.2K10th Pctl$88.7K25th Pctl$114.1KMedian$146.1K75th Pctl$176.9K90th PctlUS Median$125.0K

Entry-level electrical engineers in San Bernardino, CA typically start between $66,204 and $88,702 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $110,721 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,1468.71% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrical engineer pay in the San Bernardino metro area.

Return on Investment

$95,000
Avg CA Program Cost
$66,204
Starting Salary
143.50%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.4 yr
Payback Estimate

The average electrical engineering program cost in California of $95,000 represents just 143.50% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($66,204/year) in San Bernardino. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.

Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.

EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in San Bernardino

  • 1Research the San Bernardino market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $66,204 to $88,702, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
  • 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in San Bernardino, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
  • 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in San Bernardino for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Factor in San Bernardino's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.

Electrical Engineer Compensation Range

The electrical engineer wage spread in San Bernardino is $110,721 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,204, experienced hygienists can earn up to $176,925.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$52,584

2025 BLS Actual

$63,873

2026 Current Est.

$66,204

2019–2027 Growth

+30.5%

Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in San Bernardino (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electrical engineers in San Bernardino. Baseline $52,584 in 2025, projected to $68,621 by 2027.$43.0K$58.8K$74.5K$90.3K$106.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$52.6K$54.1K$52.0K$54.6K$57.8K$97.0K$63.9K$66.2K$68.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$52,584Actual
2020$54,127Actual
2021$52,033Actual
2022$54,636Actual
2023$57,840Actual
2024$97,015Actual
2025$63,873Actual
2026(current)$66,204Estimated
2027$68,621Projected

Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in San Bernardino, CA grew 21.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,584 in 2019 to $63,873 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,621. New graduates entering the San Bernardino job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Starting Your electrical engineering Career in San Bernardino

In the San Bernardino area, multiple employers actively seek to fill entry-level positions for electrical engineers, including giants in the semiconductor industry such as Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. These companies typically favor candidates with robust educational backgrounds, often recruiting from top-tier programs and offering structured onboarding along with competitive compensation packages that include RSUs. Defense contractors like Lockheed and Northrop recruit engineers through established internship pipelines, often favoring candidates with security clearances. For those considering utility and power systems roles, while these positions may not offer salaries that rival their tech counterparts, they provide job stability and benefits like pensions. Credentials significantly impact starting pay, so securing a Bachelor’s from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam is advisable. As you strategize your career in your first few years, aiming for positions in the semiconductor domain or cleared defense work can lead to favorable salary growth expectations in an industry that evolves rapidly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for electrical engineers in San Bernardino in 2026?

Entry-level electrical engineers in San Bernardino start at approximately $66,204/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.65% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $31.83/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do electrical engineer salaries grow in San Bernardino?

Most electrical engineers in San Bernardino progress from the entry-level salary of $66,204 to the area median of $114,146 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $176,925 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is electrical engineering school worth it in San Bernardino?

With a starting salary of $66,204/year in San Bernardino and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new electrical engineers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new electrical engineers make right out of school in San Bernardino?

New electrical engineering graduates in San Bernardino typically start near the 10th percentile at $66,204/year, or approximately $31.83/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a electrical engineer in California?

To become a licensed electrical engineer in California, you typically need bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an abet-accredited program (4 years). master's degree (msee) or phd common for research, specialty, or leadership roles. professional engineer (pe) license required for engineers who sign off on public projects — requires fe exam, 4 years experience, then pe exam., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including California, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some electrical engineers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

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

Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in San Bernardino. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for San Bernardino is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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