Electrician Salary

Long Beach vs San Francisco: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Long Beach, CA
$75,625
$36.35/hr
San Francisco, CA
$94,798
$45.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLong Beach, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$75,625$94,798
Hourly Rate$36.35$45.58
Entry Level (P10)$46,366$56,534
25th Percentile$59,889$71,576
75th Percentile$96,800$133,022
Top Earner (P90)$117,218$186,206
Total Employed899,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Long Beach ($75,625) and San Francisco ($94,798) electrician salaries.Long BeachSan FranciscoMedian Salary$75,625$94,798Entry Level (P10)$46,366$56,534Top Earner (P90)$117,218$186,206US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Long Beach and San Francisco is $19,173 (25.35%). 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 Long Beach spans $70,852,San Francisco spans $129,672. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$46,366
P25$59,889
Median$75,625
P75$96,800
P90 (Top)$117,218
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 22.63% more than Long Beach ($66,866 effective).

Long Beach
Nominal: $75,625
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $66,866
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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach grew -26.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.7% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Long Beach, CA

+-26.0%

$100,085 (2024) → $74,055 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+-8.7%

$101,730 (2019) → $92,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Long Beach or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median electrician salary at $94,798/year, compared to Long Beach at $75,625/year — a difference of $19,173 (25.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Long Beach and San Francisco?

Long Beach electricians earn $36.35/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $45.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Long Beach to San Francisco as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Long Beach and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Long Beach = $66,866, San Francisco = $81,996), job availability (89 vs 9,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $46,366 in Long Beach 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