Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$80,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$52,632 vs $52,419
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$45,470 vs $48,435
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000▲ | $65,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000▲ | $50,000 | +$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,000▲ | $83,000 | +$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000▲ | $103,000 | +$25,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632▲ | $52,419 | +$213 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,115▲ | $60,060 | +$9,055 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,470 | $48,435▲ | -$2,965 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 14,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $15,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($52,632 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.