Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$72,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,368 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$39,698 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $98,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $75,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $125,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,000 | $155,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,368 | $52,688▲ | -$5,320 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,341 | $82,131▲ | -$21,790 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,698 | $44,156▲ | -$4,458 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 12,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($47,368 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.