Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$63,736 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$56,543 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $98,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $75,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,000 | $125,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,000 | $155,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $63,736▲ | $52,688 | +$11,048 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $51,454 | $82,131▲ | -$30,677 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $56,543▲ | $44,156 | +$12,387 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 12,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($63,736 vs $52,688 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.