Electrician Salary

San Francisco vs Tustin: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$94,798
$45.58/hr
Tustin, CA
$77,655
$37.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATustin, CA
Median Salary$94,798$77,655
Hourly Rate$45.58$37.34
Entry Level (P10)$56,534$50,388
25th Percentile$71,576$58,893
75th Percentile$133,022$99,399
Top Earner (P90)$186,206$120,366
Total Employed9,06018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($94,798) and Tustin ($77,655) electrician salaries.San FranciscoTustinMedian Salary$94,798$77,655Entry Level (P10)$56,534$50,388Top Earner (P90)$186,206$120,366US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Tustin is $17,143 (22.08%). 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,Tustin spans $69,978. 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
Tustin
P10 (Entry)$50,388
P25$58,893
Median$77,655
P75$99,399
P90 (Top)$120,366

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($81,996 effective) pays 19.42% more than Tustin ($68,660 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $94,798
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $81,996
Tustin
Nominal: $77,655
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,660

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 Tustin 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 Tustin over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+-8.7%

$101,730 (2019) → $92,830 (2025)

Tustin, CA

+-19.9%

$94,908 (2024) → $76,043 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: San Francisco or Tustin?

San Francisco has a higher median electrician salary at $94,798/year, compared to Tustin at $77,655/year — a difference of $17,143 (22.08%).

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

San Francisco electricians earn $45.58/hr while Tustin hygienists earn $37.34/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Tustin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $81,996, Tustin = $68,660), job availability (9,060 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $56,534 in San Francisco and $50,388 in Tustin. 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