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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Staff Electrical Engineer in California is $113,051 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a Senior Staff Electrical Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Staff Electrical Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $121,663 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $113,051 | $9,421 | $2,174 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,247 | $8,854 | $2,043 | $51 |
Atomic Machines - Santa Clara, CA
Atomic Machines - Emeryville, CA
E-Space - Saratoga, CA
Intuitive - Sunnyvale, CA
A Senior Staff Electrical Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Senior Staff Electrical Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Electrica... Level Senior Staff Electrical Engineer | $92,743 |
| Senior St... Level Senior Staff Electrical Engineer | $112,418 |
| Electrica... Level Senior Staff Electrical Engineer | $136,739 |
| Electrica... Level Senior Staff Electrical Engineer | $162,815 |
| Electrica... Level Senior Staff Electrical Engineer | $188,878 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Senior Staff Electrical Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Senior Staff Electrical Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Senior Staff Electrical Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Staff Electrical Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $158,271 | $76.0 | 40% |
| Software & Networking | $152,619 | $73.0 | 35% |
| Energy & Utilities | $146,966 | $71.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $141,314 | $68.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $141,314 | $68.0 | 25% |
Understanding how a Senior Staff Electrical Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $121,663 | $10,139 | $2,340 | $58 |
| Average | $113,051 | $9,421 | $2,174 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $106,247 | $8,854 | $2,043 | $51 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Staff Electrical Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Freedom Flight Works
San Diego, CA
Freedom Flight Works | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Overview. We are seeking an experienced Senior Aerospace Electrical Engineer with extensive expertise in Unmanned Aer... more
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Sunnyvale, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. Senior Electrical Engineer (Long Term Contract). Full-Time Opportunity with Basic Solutions Corp. Location: US- Sunnyvale... more
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ALIGN Executive Search
Azusa, CA
ALIGN Executive Search | Azusa, CA
Job Description. Job Description. What you will be doing. Design mixed-signal, analog, and digital electronic hardware. Design and troubleshoot power elect... more
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PG&E Corporation
Danville, CA
PG&E Corporation | Danville, CA
Requisition ID 171823 Job Category: Engineering / Science Job Level: Individual Contributor Business Unit: Strategy & Growth Work Type: Onsite Job Location... more
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Block
San Francisco, CA
Block | San Francisco, CA
A leading technology company is seeking a Senior Electrical Design Engineer to focus on electrical design for hardware products.You will design circuits, c... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies Careers
San Diego, CA
L3Harris Technologies Careers | San Diego, CA
L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedi... more
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