Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Raleigh, NC 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
✓ Raleigh, NC
$53,398 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$47,119 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | 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 | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,398▲ | $52,688 | +$710 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,533 | $82,131▲ | -$33,598 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,119▲ | $44,156 | +$2,963 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 12,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC 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 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($53,398 vs $52,688 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
4More Electrician City Comparisons
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.