Electrician Salary

San Francisco vs Torrance: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$94,798
$45.58/hr
Torrance, CA
$79,067
$38.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$94,798$79,067
Hourly Rate$45.58$38.01
Entry Level (P10)$56,534$50,050
25th Percentile$71,576$59,185
75th Percentile$133,022$101,206
Top Earner (P90)$186,206$122,554
Total Employed9,06026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($94,798) and Torrance ($79,067) electrician salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$94,798$79,067Entry Level (P10)$56,534$50,050Top Earner (P90)$186,206$122,554US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $15,731 (19.90%). 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 San Francisco spans $129,672,Torrance spans $72,504. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$56,534
P25$71,576
Median$94,798
P75$133,022
P90 (Top)$186,206
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$50,050
P25$59,185
Median$79,067
P75$101,206
P90 (Top)$122,554

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($81,996 effective) pays 17.29% more than Torrance ($69,909 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $94,798
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $81,996
Torrance
Nominal: $79,067
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $69,909

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Torrance if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in San Francisco grew -8.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -19.9% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+-8.7%

$101,730 (2019) → $92,830 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-19.9%

$96,633 (2024) → $77,426 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: San Francisco or Torrance?

San Francisco has a higher median electrician salary at $94,798/year, compared to Torrance at $79,067/year — a difference of $15,731 (19.90%).

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

San Francisco electricians earn $45.58/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $38.01/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $81,996, Torrance = $69,909), job availability (9,060 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $56,534 in San Francisco and $50,050 in Torrance. The San Francisco 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