Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$98,000 vs $88,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$52,688 vs $54,321
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$44,156 vs $50,193
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000▲ | $88,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,000▲ | $67,000 | +$8,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $125,000▲ | $113,000 | +$12,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $155,000▲ | $140,000 | +$15,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,688 | $54,321▲ | -$1,633 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,131▲ | $81,312 | +$819 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,156 | $50,193▲ | -$6,037 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $88,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($52,688 vs $54,321 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.