Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,419 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$48,435 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $98,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $75,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $125,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,000 | $155,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,419 | $52,688▲ | -$269 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060 | $82,131▲ | -$22,071 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $48,435▲ | $44,156 | +$4,279 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 12,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,419 vs $52,688 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.