Electrician Salary in San Diego, CA
Electricians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $76,160 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,538 take-home, or $4,878 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrician salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,925
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,722
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,104
- California income tax$2,881
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$990
- Take-home pay$58,538
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Electrician pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,890 | $23.02 | $39,114 | $3,260 |
| 25th percentile | $60,110 | $28.90 | $48,041 | $4,003 |
| Median (50th) | $76,160 | $36.62 | $58,538 | $4,878 |
| 75th percentile | $101,760 | $48.92 | $73,861 | $6,155 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,260 | $60.70 | $88,411 | $7,368 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,160 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrician's $58,538 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,319 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Electrician jobs are about as common in San Diego, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for electricians, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #34 of 56 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $102,350 | $75,912 | $73,277 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,780 | $80,432 | $72,375 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $105,090 | $74,395 | $70,569 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $76,860 | $60,226 | $65,079 |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO | $77,170 | $60,429 | $63,551 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $81,990 | $63,276 | $63,088 |
| 7 | Milwaukee, WI | $77,800 | $60,819 | $62,741 |
| 8 | Rochester, NY | $77,310 | $59,640 | $61,462 |
| 34 | San Diego, CA | $76,160 | $58,538 | $52,319 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 56 metros →
About the job: electricians
Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical control systems.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Electrician salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $91,030
- San Francisco, CA — $92,830
- Sacramento, CA — $74,830
- Riverside, CA — $72,790
- Los Angeles, CA — $73,810
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrician make in San Diego, CA?
The median electrician salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $76,160 a year, or about $36.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,110 and $101,760.
What is a electrician’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $76,160 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $58,538 a year ($4,878 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,871 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a electrician?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $63,190. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,319 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #34 of 56 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrician afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median electrician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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