Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$72,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$47,368 vs $52,419
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,698 vs $48,435
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000▲ | $65,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000▲ | $50,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000▲ | $83,000 | +$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,000▲ | $103,000 | +$11,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,368 | $52,419▲ | -$5,051 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,341▲ | $60,060 | +$281 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,698 | $48,435▲ | -$8,737 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,368 vs $52,419 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.