Electrician Salary in San Francisco, CA: $94,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in San Francisco, CA earns a median $94,798/year (≈ $45.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $81,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, electricians in San Francisco, California, command a median salary of $94,798, significantly higher than the national median of $64,530. The compensation range for this profession is substantial, stretching from $56,534 at the lower end (P10) to $186,206 for those at the upper echelons (P90). These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. For professionals specializing in industrial controls or programmable logic controllers (PLC), the potential for higher pay is even more pronounced, reflecting the growing emphasis on advanced technologies across various sectors in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,534 | $27.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,576 | $34.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,798 | $45.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,022 | $63.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,206 | $89.52 |
Median Salary Position
46.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,672 (2026 est.). At $94,798, the local median is 46.91% above the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Electrician Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $94,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $77,703 | +22.00% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +46.91% more |
Electricians in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $94,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.91% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 22.00% above the California state average of $77,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,798 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,996 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,730
2025 BLS Actual
$92,830
2026 Current Est.
$94,798
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.8%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew -8.7% from $101,730 (2019) to $92,830 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,922 (-4.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $56,534 – $71,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,576 – $94,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,798 – $133,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,022 – $186,206 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in San Francisco
With around 9,060 electricians employed in the area, the job market is robust, though the cost of living significantly influences take-home pay. The cost-of-living index for San Francisco stands at 115.613, indicating a higher expense level that affects purchasing power for workers. Among the employers, union contractors, especially those aligned with IBEW, offer the most competitive pay and benefits, often ranging 30-50% higher than their non-union counterparts. Factors driving the wage spread include specializations—those skilled in industrial controls and renewable energy solutions typically earn more—and opportunities for overtime work. To maximize pay, electricians should consider attaining advanced certifications and licenses while seeking out roles with high-demand specialties such as solar installations and data center projects, where demand is surging.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $92,830 for electriciansin the San Francisco 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