Electrician Salary

Newport Beach vs San Diego: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Newport Beach, CA
$76,043
$36.56/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,775
$37.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport Beach, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$76,043$77,775
Hourly Rate$36.56$37.40
Entry Level (P10)$53,186$48,905
25th Percentile$60,320$61,384
75th Percentile$97,335$103,917
Top Earner (P90)$117,866$128,937
Total Employed128,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport Beach ($76,043) and San Diego ($77,775) electrician salaries.Newport BeachSan DiegoMedian Salary$76,043$77,775Entry Level (P10)$53,186$48,905Top Earner (P90)$117,866$128,937US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Newport Beach and San Diego is $1,732 (2.28%). San Diego's median is +20.53% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newport Beach spans $64,680,San Diego spans $80,032. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Newport Beach
P10 (Entry)$53,186
P25$60,320
Median$76,043
P75$97,335
P90 (Top)$117,866
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 3.39% more than Newport Beach ($67,235 effective).

Newport Beach
Nominal: $76,043
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $67,235
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 Newport Beach if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,775/year)
  • 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 Newport Beach grew -19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Newport Beach, CA

+-19.9%

$92,937 (2024) → $74,464 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+29.6%

$58,780 (2019) → $76,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Newport Beach or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median electrician salary at $77,775/year, compared to Newport Beach at $76,043/year — a difference of $1,732 (2.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport Beach and San Diego?

Newport Beach electricians earn $36.56/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newport Beach to San Diego as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport Beach and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport Beach = $67,235, San Diego = $69,512), job availability (12 vs 8,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $53,186 in Newport Beach and $48,905 in San Diego. The Newport Beach 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