Electrician Salary

Los Angeles vs Santa Ana: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Santa Ana, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$75,375
$36.24/hr
Santa Ana, CA
$82,362
$39.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASanta Ana, CA
Median Salary$75,375$82,362
Hourly Rate$36.24$39.60
Entry Level (P10)$47,118$51,139
25th Percentile$60,077$60,956
75th Percentile$104,091$105,424
Top Earner (P90)$134,472$127,661
Total Employed20,61069
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($75,375) and Santa Ana ($82,362) electrician salaries.Los AngelesSanta AnaMedian Salary$75,375$82,362Entry Level (P10)$47,118$51,139Top Earner (P90)$134,472$127,661US Median $64,530

Verdict

Los Angeles and Santa Ana are closely matched on overall electrician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Santa Ana is $6,987 (9.27%). Santa Ana's median is +27.63% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $87,354,Santa Ana spans $76,522. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,118
P25$60,077
Median$75,375
P75$104,091
P90 (Top)$134,472
Santa Ana
P10 (Entry)$51,139
P25$60,956
Median$82,362
P75$105,424
P90 (Top)$127,661

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Ana ($72,822 effective) pays 9.72% more than Los Angeles ($66,371 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $75,375
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $66,371
Santa Ana
Nominal: $82,362
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,822

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($134,472)
  • Larger job market (20,610 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Santa Ana if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,362/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,822)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Los Angeles grew 12.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -19.9% growth in Santa Ana over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+12.6%

$65,560 (2019) → $73,810 (2025)

Santa Ana, CA

+-19.9%

$100,660 (2024) → $80,652 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Los Angeles or Santa Ana?

Santa Ana has a higher median electrician salary at $82,362/year, compared to Los Angeles at $75,375/year — a difference of $6,987 (9.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Santa Ana?

Los Angeles electricians earn $36.24/hr while Santa Ana hygienists earn $39.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Santa Ana as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Santa Ana. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $66,371, Santa Ana = $72,822), job availability (20,610 vs 69 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Los Angeles vs Santa Ana?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $47,118 in Los Angeles and $51,139 in Santa Ana. The Santa Ana 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