Electrician Salary

Glendale vs San Francisco: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Glendale, CA
$78,207
$37.60/hr
San Francisco, CA
$94,798
$45.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$78,207$94,798
Hourly Rate$37.60$45.58
Entry Level (P10)$54,295$56,534
25th Percentile$62,169$71,576
75th Percentile$100,104$133,022
Top Earner (P90)$121,221$186,206
Total Employed369,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($78,207) and San Francisco ($94,798) electrician salaries.GlendaleSan FranciscoMedian Salary$78,207$94,798Entry Level (P10)$54,295$56,534Top Earner (P90)$121,221$186,206US Median $64,530

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Glendale.

The salary gap between Glendale and San Francisco is $16,591 (21.21%). San Francisco's median is +46.91% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $66,926,San Francisco spans $129,672. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$54,295
P25$62,169
Median$78,207
P75$100,104
P90 (Top)$121,221
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$56,534
P25$71,576
Median$94,798
P75$133,022
P90 (Top)$186,206

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($81,996 effective) pays 18.58% more than Glendale ($69,149 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $78,207
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $69,149
San Francisco
Nominal: $94,798
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $81,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Glendale if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,798/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($186,206)
  • Larger job market (9,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,996)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Glendale grew -19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Glendale, CA

+-19.9%

$95,582 (2024) → $76,583 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+-8.7%

$101,730 (2019) → $92,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Glendale or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median electrician salary at $94,798/year, compared to Glendale at $78,207/year — a difference of $16,591 (21.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Glendale and San Francisco?

Glendale electricians earn $37.60/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $45.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Glendale to San Francisco as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $69,149, San Francisco = $81,996), job availability (36 vs 9,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Glendale vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $54,295 in Glendale and $56,534 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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