Electrician Salary

Fremont vs San Diego: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Fremont, CA
$94,817
$45.59/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,775
$37.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$94,817$77,775
Hourly Rate$45.59$37.40
Entry Level (P10)$57,681$48,905
25th Percentile$74,742$61,384
75th Percentile$121,367$103,917
Top Earner (P90)$146,967$128,937
Total Employed438,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($94,817) and San Diego ($77,775) electrician salaries.FremontSan DiegoMedian Salary$94,817$77,775Entry Level (P10)$57,681$48,905Top Earner (P90)$146,967$128,937US Median $64,530

Verdict

Fremont, CA offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Fremont and San Diego is $17,042 (21.91%). Fremont's median is +46.93% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $89,286,San Diego spans $80,032. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$57,681
P25$74,742
Median$94,817
P75$121,367
P90 (Top)$146,967
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, Fremont ($83,835 effective) pays 20.60% more than San Diego ($69,512 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $94,817
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $83,835
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 Fremont if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,817/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,967)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,835)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (8,060 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Fremont grew -5.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Fremont, CA

+-5.1%

$97,874 (2024) → $92,849 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+29.6%

$58,780 (2019) → $76,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Fremont or San Diego?

Fremont has a higher median electrician salary at $94,817/year, compared to San Diego at $77,775/year — a difference of $17,042 (21.91%).

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

Fremont electricians earn $45.59/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $83,835, San Diego = $69,512), job availability (43 vs 8,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $57,681 in Fremont and $48,905 in San Diego. The Fremont area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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