Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $68,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$52,688 vs $53,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$44,156 vs $46,927
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $68,000 | +$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,000▲ | $52,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000▲ | $87,000 | +$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $108,000 | +$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 128 | +58 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 4.4%▲ | +4.9% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,688 | $53,125▲ | -$437 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,131▲ | $60,067 | +$22,064 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,156 | $46,927▲ | -$2,771 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 10,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $30,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $68,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($52,688 vs $53,125 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.