Electronics Engineers, Except Computer Salary
In California, electronics engineers, except computers earn $160,520 at the median, or about $77.17 an hour. The range runs from $97K at the entry level to $225K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.14), so that salary is closer to $151,234 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,471/month, or 26.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $161K get you in California?
About electronics engineers, except computers
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What this looks like in California
California sits well above the national pay line for electronics engineers, except computer, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $130K. Rent runs $2,471/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 6% above the national average (BEA RPP 106.14), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level electronics engineers, except computers (10th percentile) start around $97K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K. Top earners bring in $225K or more, a $128K spread from bottom to top.
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer salary by metro in California
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $194K | +21% | 5,970 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $183K | +14% | 30 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $172K | +7% | 290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $162K | +1% | 2,000 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $156K | -3% | 3,450 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $147K | -8% | 830 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $142K | -11% | 900 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $141K | -12% | 4,880 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $136K | -15% | 160 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $131K | -18% | 580 |
| Vallejo | $130K | -19% | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $127K | -21% | 580 |
| Modesto | $108K | -33% | 40 |
| Fresno | $106K | -34% | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $105K | -35% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a electronics engineers, except computer afford a 2BR apartment alone in California?
Yes — at the median salary of $161K, rent takes 27.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,471/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for electronics engineers, except computers in California?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new electronics engineers, except computers typically earn — is $97K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,828/month. At HUD’s $2,471/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is electronics engineers, except computer a high-paying job in California?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $161K here vs. $130K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 6% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does California compare to the national average for electronics engineers, except computers?
California pays $161K median vs. the U.S. average of $130K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 106.14), the purchasing-power equivalent is $151K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do electronics engineers, except computers make in California?
The median is $160,520 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $97,140, and experienced electronics engineers, except computers can clear $225,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,117/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 27.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a electronics engineers, except computer salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 106.14 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median electronics engineers, except computer salary is worth about $151,234 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electronics engineers, except computers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.