Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,399 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$39,724 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $98,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,000 | $75,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $105,000 | $125,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $131,000 | $155,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,399 | $52,688▲ | -$5,289 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $68,722 | $82,131▲ | -$13,409 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,724 | $44,156▲ | -$4,432 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 12,000 | +23,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $16,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($47,399 vs $52,688 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.