Electrician Hourly Pay in Orange, CA: $36.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Orange, CA runs $36.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,944 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electricians in Orange, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $36.81, considerably higher than the national hourly median of $31.02. This favorable rate indicates a robust demand for skilled tradespeople in various settings, including commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and industrial environments. Typically, entry-level electricians in the area earn around $24.51 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can command up to $57.06. With this hourly structure, part-time electricians working three days a week can maintain a decent income, making this profession appealing for those seeking flexibility in their schedules, such as self-employed contractors or per-diem workers responding to short-term needs.
About the Orange Market
Salary estimated from California average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.51 | $196.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.55 | $220.42 |
| Median (P50) | $36.81 | $294.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.12 | $376.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.06 | $456.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Orange
Based on $36.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.81/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Orange, CA can expect to earn approximately $76,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,177. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,472.57 | $6,381 | $76,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $883.54 | $3,829 | $45,944 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.03 | $2,552 | $30,629 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Orange) | $36.81 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Solar PV Installer (National Avg) | $24.85 |
Electricians in Orange, CA earn a median of $76,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.66% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 1.50% below the California state average of $77,740.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.81/hr = $45,944/year (purchasing power: $40,623).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,574/year (purchasing power: $67,704).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Orange grew 12.5% from $32.05/hr (2019) to $36.05/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electricians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrician in Orange
For part-time electricians in Orange, working 24 hours each week translates to less than $48,000 in annual income, significantly less than the potential earnings of full-time workers. Per diem electricians, especially those on out-of-town projects, can earn between $35 and $60 per hour, often supplemented by per-diem rates of $80-$150 daily. Those engaged in specialized roles, such as industrial PLC work, may see hourly wages soaring to $80-$140 as 1099 contractors. The variety in hourly rates reflects the differences in employment types, with union electricians typically enjoying better pay and benefits compared to non-union counterparts. Practical advice for electricians includes transparency in negotiations; emphasizing unique skills, certifications, and willingness to work in high-demand sectors like renewable energy can significantly affect hourly rates.
More salary data for Orange, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electricians in Orange. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Orange is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov