Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$55,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$61,111 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$54,688 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $98,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $75,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $125,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $87,000 | $155,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $61,111▲ | $52,688 | +$8,423 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $49,219 | $82,131▲ | -$32,912 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,688▲ | $44,156 | +$10,532 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 12,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $43,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($61,111 vs $52,688 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% 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.