Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$48,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$57,831 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$53,436 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $98,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $75,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,000 | $125,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,000 | $155,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $57,831▲ | $52,688 | +$5,143 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $82,131▲ | -$37,779 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $53,436▲ | $44,156 | +$9,280 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 12,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $50,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($57,831 vs $52,688 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.