BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC 47-2111
Electrician Salary in California 2026
Snapshot 6 September 2026
$76,160/yr median · $36.62/hr
State Median
$76k
vs. National
+$13k
Top 10%
$140k
COL-Adjusted
$54k
Electrician Salary Range in California
The full wage spread for electricians (occupation 47-2111) in California, from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%. All three figures are reported directly by BLS. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2111. Snapshot taken 6 September 2026.
10th percentile
$47k
$46,800/yr
Lowest-paid 10%
Median (50th)
$76k
$76,160/yr
Typical electrician
90th percentile
$140k
$140,340/yr
Highest-paid 10%
An electrician in the bottom 10% of California earners makes about $46,800/yr, while the top 10% earn $140,340/yr or more, a range of $93,540. The 10th percentile is a published BLS wage observation (it typically reflects apprentices and newly-licensed journeymen). OEWS publishes no separate entry-level figure, so none is shown.
Where California Ranks
California ranks #14 of 50 states for electrician median wages. The national median is $63,190 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2111). California pays $12,970 above the national average.
California's cost-of-living index is 142 (MERIC 2026, where 100 = US average). After adjustment, the purchasing power of an electrician's salary here is equivalent to $53,634/yr in national-average dollar terms. This is a MERIC 2026 figure, not a BLS one. The high cost of living significantly reduces the real value of nominal wages.
Pay by Metro Area
Median annual wage for the major metropolitan areas in California. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 metropolitan wage estimates, occupation 47-2111. Metros are ordered highest to lowest.
| Metro Area | Median Annual | vs. State Avg |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland | $92,830 | +16.7k |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale | $91,030 | +14.9k |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach | $73,810 | -2.4k |
| San Diego | $76,160 | +0.0k |
| Sacramento-Roseville | $74,830 | -1.3k |
Pay by Experience Level
Editorial estimates built from state apprenticeship wage schedules and IBEW/IEC agreement rates. Not BLS: OEWS reports all electricians together under 47-2111 and publishes no apprentice, journeyman or master split.
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $20 - $26/hr | $42,000 - $54,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4-5) | $28 - $36/hr | $58,000 - $75,000 |
| Journeyman (Employee) | $34 - $52/hr | $71,000 - $108,000 |
| Master Electrician (Employee) | $42 - $62/hr | $87,000 - $129,000 |
| Self-Employed Contractor | $95 - $180/hr billed | $90,000 - $250,000 net |
California Licensing Requirements
See full 50-state licensing matrix at electriciansalary.com/licensing
Union Presence in California
IBEW Locals: IBEW Local 11 (Los Angeles), Local 332 (San Jose), Local 6 (San Francisco), Local 1245 (NorCal utilities/linemen)
Union membership (all workers): In 2025, 14.9% of all wage and salary workers in California were union members and 16.7% were covered by a union contract (BLS, all occupations, not electricians alone).
Union pay gap: Nationally in 2025, full-time union members in construction and extraction occupations had median weekly earnings of $1,561, against $1,004 for non-union workers, about 55% higher before benefits (BLS). BLS does not publish this split for electricians alone or by state.
Source: BLS, Union Members 2025 (Current Population Survey annual averages), Tables 4 and 5. BLS publishes no electrician-only union rate by state.
Full IBEW wage scale breakdown and union vs non-union analysis
Job Outlook in California
California electricians benefit from some of the strongest demand in the nation: the state's 100% clean energy mandate by 2045 requires massive solar, wind, and battery storage electrical installations. EV charging infrastructure is a growing specialty. Housing shortage means apartment and mixed-use construction remains active even during downturns.
Major Employers in California
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does California rank for electrician pay?
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Related Pages
State 10th-percentile, median and 90th-percentile wage figures: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 47-2111. Snapshot taken 6 September 2026. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Metro figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 metropolitan wage estimates, occupation 47-2111. Cost-of-living index: MERIC cost of living index, 2026 (100 = US average), a separate non-BLS source. Pay-by-level ladder: Editorial estimates built from state apprenticeship wage schedules and IBEW/IEC agreement rates. Not BLS: OEWS reports all electricians together under 47-2111 and publishes no apprentice, journeyman or master split. IBEW local agreements 2025-2026.