Electrician salary in California
Electricians in California earn a median of $76,160 a year ($36.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 73,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,340 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $63,190. California ranks 15th of 51 states for electricians pay. There are 4.0 electricians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for electricians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Median | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| 75th percentile | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Average (mean) | $85,860 | $41.28 |
Half of electricians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,346.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,173.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,929.23 |
| Weekly | $1,464.62 |
| Hourly | $36.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Electrician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,830 | 9,060 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $91,030 | 5,480 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $86,040 | 220 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,490 | 720 |
| Salinas, CA | $78,780 | 530 |
| Napa, CA | $78,080 | 240 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $77,380 | 1,080 |
| Modesto, CA | $76,710 | 770 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $76,610 | 330 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $76,540 | 530 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $76,410 | 1,180 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,160 | 8,060 |
| Merced, CA | $76,120 | 180 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,860 | 1,410 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $75,290 | 630 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,830 | 6,340 |
| El Centro, CA | $74,450 | 160 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $73,810 | 20,610 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $72,790 | 7,880 |
| Fresno, CA | $71,710 | 1,980 |
| Redding, CA | $69,540 | 320 |
| Yuba City, CA | $65,660 | 220 |
| Chico, CA | $65,400 | 320 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,840 | 1,160 |
| Visalia, CA | $64,390 | 640 |
Highest-paying states for electricians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $101,310 |
| Illinois | $99,560 |
| Hawaii | $96,460 |
| Washington | $95,220 |
| Alaska | $89,440 |
| Massachusetts | $79,420 |
| District of Columbia | $78,970 |
| New York | $78,750 |
| Minnesota | $78,160 |
| Connecticut | $77,540 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Roofer | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $58,880 | $28.31 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Glazier | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Solar Photovoltaic Installer | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Plasterers and Stucco Masons | $59,940 | $28.82 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2111. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrician make in California?
The median salary for electricians in California is $76,160 a year, or $36.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid electricians make in California?
The top 10% of electricians in California earn at least $140,340 a year. The top 25% earn $103,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for electricians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,800 a year, and a quarter of electricians earn $59,280 or less.
How many electricians work in California?
About 73,310 electricians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.