Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,688 vs $52,419
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$44,156 vs $48,435
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $65,000 | +$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,000▲ | $50,000 | +$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000▲ | $83,000 | +$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $103,000 | +$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,688▲ | $52,419 | +$269 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,131▲ | $60,060 | +$22,071 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,156 | $48,435▲ | -$4,279 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,688 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.