Electrician salary in California: what electricians earn in 2026
Electricians in California earn a median of $76,160 a year — $12,970 above the national median. State wage and employment data from the BLS, plus what it means if you're hiring.
By Westie · Chief Culture Officer, HireAligned ·
What does an electrician make in California?
The median wage for electricians in California is $76,160 a year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. That is $12,970 above the national median of $63,190, putting California 15th of 51 jurisdictions on electrician pay. About 73,310 electricians work in the state.
| Measure | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $76,160 | $63,190 |
| Electricians employed | 73,310 | 757,220 |
| Rank on pay | 15th of 51 | — |
| Rank on workforce size | 2nd of 51 | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 47-2111 (Electricians).
What that number means if you're hiring in California
California pays electricians above the national median, which means the wage bar to be competitive here is set higher than the headline national figure suggests. With 73,310 electricians in the state, California is 2nd in the country by workforce size. The pool is deep enough that a role that stays open is usually a process problem, not a supply problem.
Two caveats worth holding onto. The state median is a lagging figure — OEWS data reflects May 2025, and in a market where trades wages have been climbing, a year-old median can already sit under the live rate. And within-state variation between a major metro and a rural county is routinely wider than the gap between two states, so benchmark to the metro you actually hire in and treat $76,160 as your floor.
How California compares on electrician pay
The states closest to California on median electrician pay:
- Electrician salary in Wisconsin — $76,540 (14,310 electricians)
- Electrician salary in Michigan — $76,270 (23,530 electricians)
- Electrician salary in Wyoming — $76,120 (2,960 electricians)
- Electrician salary in Maine — $75,380 (3,780 electricians)
For the full ranking of all 51 jurisdictions, see electrician salary by state. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for Electricians covers the demand side.
Filling the seat, not just pricing it
Knowing your state's number keeps you from underbidding the market and losing candidates you never heard from. It will not, on its own, fill the truck. The shops that hire fastest in California are the ones already talking to electricians before a seat opens, so the job starts with a shortlist instead of a blank post and a six-week wait.
That is the always-on approach we run for plumbing and HVAC businesses. See how done-for-you hiring works, or build the pipeline yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average electrician salary in California?+
The median wage for electricians in California is $76,160 a year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. That is $12,970 above the national median of $63,190. Half of electricians in California earn more than that figure and half earn less.
How many electricians work in California?+
California employs about 73,310 electricians, out of roughly 757,220 nationally — one of the ten deepest electrician pools in the country, ranking 2nd of 51 jurisdictions by workforce size. Pool depth matters more than the headline wage when you are deciding how hard a role will be to fill.
Is $76,160 enough to hire an electrician in California?+
Treat it as a floor rather than a target. The state median is a lagging, statewide figure, and within-state variation between a major metro and a rural county is routinely larger than the gap between two states. Benchmark to the metro you actually hire in, and check your response time before assuming a wage problem — a qualified electrician who waits three days for a callback has usually taken another offer.