Electrician Salary

Chino vs San Diego: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Chino, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino, CA
$78,597
$37.78/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,775
$37.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$78,597$77,775
Hourly Rate$37.78$37.40
Entry Level (P10)$52,780$48,905
25th Percentile$60,761$61,384
75th Percentile$100,604$103,917
Top Earner (P90)$121,825$128,937
Total Employed178,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($78,597) and San Diego ($77,775) electrician salaries.ChinoSan DiegoMedian Salary$78,597$77,775Entry Level (P10)$52,780$48,905Top Earner (P90)$121,825$128,937US Median $64,530

Verdict

Chino and San Diego are closely matched on overall electrician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chino and San Diego is $822 (1.06%). Chino's median is +21.80% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino spans $69,045,San Diego spans $80,032. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$52,780
P25$60,761
Median$78,597
P75$100,604
P90 (Top)$121,825
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$48,905
P25$61,384
Median$77,775
P75$103,917
P90 (Top)$128,937

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($69,512 effective) pays 0.03% more than Chino ($69,493 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $78,597
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $69,493
San Diego
Nominal: $77,775
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $69,512

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,597/year)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($128,937)
  • Larger job market (8,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,512)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Chino grew -19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Chino, CA

+-19.9%

$96,059 (2024) → $76,965 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+29.6%

$58,780 (2019) → $76,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Chino or San Diego?

Chino has a higher median electrician salary at $78,597/year, compared to San Diego at $77,775/year — a difference of $822 (1.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino and San Diego?

Chino electricians earn $37.78/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino to San Diego as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $69,493, San Diego = $69,512), job availability (17 vs 8,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Chino vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $52,780 in Chino and $48,905 in San Diego. The Chino area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SC

Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov