Electrician Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $39.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Santa Ana, CA runs $39.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,362 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,423 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Santa Ana, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $39.60, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.02. This elevated pay reflects the region's demand for skilled labor in various settings, from commercial construction sites to residential service calls and specialized industrial environments. For part-time electricians working three days a week, the income can be substantial, allowing for a solid standard of living. The hourly wage range spans from $24.59 at the lower end to $61.37 for top earners, illustrating the opportunities for advancement and specialization in fields such as industrial controls or renewable energy installations. These figures are derived from projected annual salary estimates converted into hourly rates, providing a clear perspective on earnings within the trade.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $24.59 | $196.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.31 | $234.47 |
| Median (P50) | $39.60 | $316.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.68 | $405.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.37 | $490.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $39.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.60/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,523. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.09 | $6,864 | $82,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.45 | $4,119 | $49,423 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.63 | $2,746 | $32,949 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Santa Ana) | $39.60 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $82,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.63% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 6.00% above the California state average of $77,700.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.60/hr = $49,423/year (purchasing power: $43,699).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,372/year (purchasing power: $72,832).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Santa Ana grew 12.5% from $34.48/hr (2019) to $38.78/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.44/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Considering part-time opportunities, a Santa Ana electrician working a 24-hour week could expect to take home around $49,798 annually, a significant income when balanced against the local cost of living. Per-diem arrangements for travel electricians can further enhance financial opportunities, with lucrative rates ranging from $80 to $150 a day on top of an hourly wage of $35 to $60—substantial earnings considering specialized tasks often pay even more, including storm work for utility linemen that commands double-time plus additional per-diem compensation. Hourly wage variations also reflect differences in employer types; electricians in unionized settings, such as IBEW, tend to earn 30-50% more than those in non-union shops, while specialized roles like industrial maintenance or renewable energy contractors consistently offer higher rates. Negotiations are crucial in this market; electricians should weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly pay in self-employed or non-union roles. Effective negotiation strategies can secure better pay and benefits in this dynamic field, benefiting those who understand their worth in the Santa Ana electrical market.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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