Electrician Salary

Norwalk vs San Diego: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Norwalk, CA
$77,164
$37.10/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,775
$37.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorwalk, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$77,164$77,775
Hourly Rate$37.10$37.40
Entry Level (P10)$52,196$48,905
25th Percentile$58,449$61,384
75th Percentile$98,769$103,917
Top Earner (P90)$119,604$128,937
Total Employed228,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norwalk ($77,164) and San Diego ($77,775) electrician salaries.NorwalkSan DiegoMedian Salary$77,164$77,775Entry Level (P10)$52,196$48,905Top Earner (P90)$119,604$128,937US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Norwalk and San Diego is $611 (0.79%). 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 Norwalk spans $67,408,San Diego spans $80,032. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electricians.

Norwalk
P10 (Entry)$52,196
P25$58,449
Median$77,164
P75$98,769
P90 (Top)$119,604
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 1.88% more than Norwalk ($68,226 effective).

Norwalk
Nominal: $77,164
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,226
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 Norwalk 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 Norwalk grew -19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Norwalk, CA

+-19.9%

$94,307 (2024) → $75,562 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+29.6%

$58,780 (2019) → $76,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Norwalk or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median electrician salary at $77,775/year, compared to Norwalk at $77,164/year — a difference of $611 (0.79%).

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

Norwalk electricians earn $37.10/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norwalk and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norwalk = $68,226, San Diego = $69,512), job availability (22 vs 8,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $52,196 in Norwalk and $48,905 in San Diego. The Norwalk area offers higher starting salaries.

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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