Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$78,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$72,897 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$64,022 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $98,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $75,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $125,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,000 | $155,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $72,897▲ | $52,688 | +$20,209 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,504 | $82,131▲ | -$13,627 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,022▲ | $44,156 | +$19,866 |
| Total Employment | 22,000 | 12,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $20,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($72,897 vs $52,688 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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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.