Electrician Salary in Riverside, CA: $74,333 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Riverside, CA earns a median $74,333/year (≈ $35.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $69,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the 2026 projected median annual salary for electricians is $74,333, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,530. The overall salary range for electricians in this region varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $46,322 and experienced electricians earning up to $142,386 annually. These figures, reflecting the value placed on skilled professionals with expertise in industrial controls and PLC, are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. The robust pay scale contributes to Riverside’s competitive job market, making it an attractive locale for both apprentices and established electricians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,322 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,226 | $26.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,333 | $35.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,598 | $47.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,386 | $68.45 |
Median Salary Position
15.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,064 (2026 est.). At $74,333, the local median is 15.19% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Electrician Pay Compares
Riverside median: $74,333/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,754 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $64,530 | +15.19% more |
Electricians in Riverside, CA earn a median of $74,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.19% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 4.40% below the California state average of $77,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,333 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,834 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,600
2025 BLS Actual
$72,790
2026 Current Est.
$74,333
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,333 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 49.8% from $48,600 (2019) to $72,790 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,309 (56.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $46,322 – $55,226 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,226 – $74,333 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,333 – $99,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,598 – $142,386 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Riverside
Riverside employs about 7,880 electricians, which helps create a diverse local job market with opportunities across various sectors. However, the cost of living in the area is slightly above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 106.442. This reality influences take-home purchasing power and reinforces the significance of understanding the pay landscape. Union electrical contractors, particularly those affiliated with IBEW, tend to offer the most competitive salaries due to a strong benefits package. Non-union contractors generally pay less, especially for residential work. Electricians focusing on emerging specialties such as solar PV or data center infrastructure stand to benefit from premium pay as demand in those sectors grows. To maximize their earnings in Riverside, electricians should consider obtaining additional licenses, exploring overtime opportunities, and focusing on in-demand specialties to enhance their marketability and compensation.
More salary data for Riverside, 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
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 $72,790 for electriciansin the Riverside 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, 7-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