Electricians Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, electricians earn $75,640 at the median — $36.37 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $67,602 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 60.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About electricians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level electricians (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $128K or more - a $81K spread from bottom to top.
Electricians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $97K | +56% | 9,830 |
| Washington | $97K | +55% | 18,380 |
| Illinois | $96K | +55% | 22,880 |
| Hawaii | $83K | +33% | 3,020 |
| Massachusetts | $82K | +32% | 16,570 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +31% | 2,130 |
| Alaska | $82K | +31% | 1,820 |
| Minnesota | $81K | +31% | 12,970 |
| New York | $77K | +24% | 40,380 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +23% | 7,570 |
| California | $77K | +23% | 73,420 |
| Wisconsin | $75K | +20% | 12,630 |
| Wyoming | $73K | +18% | 2,710 |
| New Jersey | $73K | +17% | 15,230 |
| Michigan | $73K | +17% | 24,670 |
Track electricians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do electricians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $75,640 a year - that works out to about $36.37 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,160, and experienced electricians can clear $127,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,869/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 61.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a electricians salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median electricians salary is worth about $67,602 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do electricians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.