Electrician Salary in Merced, CA: $77,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Merced, CA earns a median $77,734/year (≈ $37.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $79,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electricians in Merced, California can expect a median annual salary of $77,734, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,530 by approximately 20.46%. The salary range for this profession in the city is quite broad, spanning from $45,454 at the 10th percentile to $142,560 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), indicates that electricians specializing in industrial controls and programmable logic controllers (PLC) can particularly enhance their earning potential, driven by the ongoing demand for skilled electrical work in various sectors throughout Merced. The local market reflects a diverse opportunity for those looking to advance in specialty fields, making it an attractive prospect for job seekers in the electrical trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,454 | $21.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,075 | $27.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,734 | $37.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,783 | $48.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,560 | $68.53 |
Median Salary Position
20.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,106 (2026 est.). At $77,734, the local median is 20.46% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Electrician Pay Compares
Merced median: $77,734/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,530 | +20.46% more |
Electricians in Merced, CA earn a median of $77,734 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.46% higher than the national median of $64,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $77,734 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,098 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.75% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$67,676
2025 BLS Actual
$76,120
2026 Current Est.
$77,734
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $67,676 (2019) to $76,120 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,706 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,454 – $57,075 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,075 – $77,734 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,734 – $101,783 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,783 – $142,560 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Merced
With 180 electricians currently employed in Merced, the local job market exhibits a solid foundation for growth, even as the cost of living remains modest with a cost-of-living index of 98.275. This index allows electricians to maintain a favorable purchasing power relative to other cities. Within the area, the highest-paying employers typically include union electrical contractors, particularly those affiliated with the IBEW, where pay can range 30-50% higher due to comprehensive benefits and job security. Non-union contractors often focus on residential projects, which may attract lower pay rates. Additionally, opportunities in industrial maintenance, utility companies, and emerging sectors like solar energy and data center installations offer competitive salaries, especially for those with specialized skills. Maximizing pay involves pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specializations, and considering union membership for added benefits and job security, thus positioning oneself well in Merced's evolving electrician market.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Merced, CA in 2026?
Is Merced, CA a good place to work as a electrician?
Can electricians make $100K in Merced?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted electrician salary in Merced?
How much does a electrician make per hour in Merced?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,120 for electriciansin the Merced metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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