Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in San Rafael, CA: $66.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in San Rafael, CA runs $66.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,151 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against San Rafael's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,486 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Those pursuing an electrical engineering career in San Rafael, CA, can expect a median hourly pay of $66.90 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $60.11. This rate is particularly favorable for part-time or per-diem workers, enabling them to thrive in environments such as tech company hardware labs, semiconductor fabrication clean rooms, and specialized defense contractor facilities. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the pay can still be substantial, allowing flexibility without sacrificing financial stability. The hourly pay range in San Rafael spans from $42.61 for entry-level positions to $100.42 for top earners, showing a significant potential for growth within this profession. These estimates are based on projected annual salaries translated into hourly rates, reflecting the competitive nature of electrical engineering in this market.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($138,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.61 | $340.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.15 | $409.21 |
| Median (P50) | $66.90 | $535.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.19 | $673.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100.42 | $803.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Rafael
Based on $66.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.90/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Rafael, CA can expect to earn approximately $139,143 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,275. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Rafael.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Rafael
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,675.83 | $11,595 | $139,143 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,605.50 | $6,957 | $83,486 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,070.33 | $4,638 | $55,657 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (San Rafael) | $66.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $139,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.29% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 1.50% above the California state average of $137,095.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.90/hr = $83,486/year (purchasing power: $73,816).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $139,143/year (purchasing power: $123,027).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $53.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in San Rafael grew 22.4% from $52.72/hr (2019) to $64.54/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.34/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in San Rafael
When considering part-time opportunities, an electrical engineer working 24 hours a week might earn substantially less annually compared to full-time counterparts. However, the allure of per diem employment is significant, with electrical engineers billing at rates ranging from $90 to $170 per hour. For specialized roles, such as those requiring a security clearance for cleared defense contracting, hourly rates can escalate to between $150 and $280. Further, niche consultants in chip design can command impressive bills of $200 to $400 per hour, making the various pathways in this field lucrative. Employers in San Rafael, including tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, can frequently offer higher pay versus traditional sectors like utilities, which, while offering benefits such as pensions, lag in hourly pay. Negotiating for hourly roles in this landscape often hinges on the balance between higher pay rates with contract positions and securing health benefits in permanent roles. Understanding your worth in the context of varying pay scales is vital for engineers looking to maximize their earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for San Rafael, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in San Rafael. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for San Rafael is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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