California is one of the highest-paying states for trades and skilled professions, which is why it’s often tempting to move there or consider starting a trade there. Considering the average electrician salary in California, it’s easy to see why.
But, that doesn’t mean everything’s as cracked up as it seems to be, and you’ll need to be as informed as possible before taking the plunge on it.
What is the Average Electrician Salary in California?
The average electrician salary in California is between $80,000 and $85,000 a year, depending on your experience and several other factors. This works out to between $36 and $39 an hour. For comparison, the national average salary for an electrician is $60,000 a year, so you can expect up to 30% of a higher salary in California.
Electricians in California are usually paid hourly, especially those working for contractors or those in unions. Salaried positions are relatively common, too, though these tend to be in maintenance, government, or large commercial roles.
Entry-Level Salary
Entry-level electricians should expect to earn on the low end of the salary range, with apprentices earning relatively little. In general, they can expect between $30,000 and $40,000 a year, working out to between $19 and $24 per hour.
Apprentices usually earn about half a journeyman’s wage, with this increasing regularly as they gain experience and certifications. While this income seems relatively low, it boasts a decent earning potential once you’ve become a journeyman.
Journeymen Salary
Journeymen are the more common electricians in California’s workforce, and they earn solid mid-range salaries. Generally, this is between $55,000 and $75,000 a year. This works out to about $31 to $41 an hour.
Journeymen are fully licensed and can work independently, which increases how much they can make. Union journeymen electricians in California often earn in the higher end of this range, especially in major metro areas.
Master Electrician Salary
Lastly are those on the top end of the pay scale, the master electricians. This also includes specialists in industrial or high-voltage electricals, among other areas. Master electricians in California tend to earn at least $90,000, but can earn up to $120,000, if not more.
Master electricians who run their own businesses or work on large commercial, infrastructure, or renewable energy projects can earn even more, especially when overtime and project bonuses are taken into account.
Electrician Salary by Location in California
Location plays more of a role in how much you’ll earn as an electrician in California than you’d think. Cities with higher living costs and strong construction demand tend to pay more. Some of the more high-paying areas include:
- The San Francisco Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Jose
You can typically expect to earn between 10% and 25% more than you would in other areas. Lower-paying areas, which tend to be more rural, might fall closer to $55,000 to $65,000 a year, but the overall costs of living and operating as an electrician is lower.
Factors That Affect an Electrician’s Salary in California
Location is one of the more notable factors that can affect an electrician’s salary in California. But, it’s far from the only one. More than a few others could affect this, with some having more of an impact than others.
Some of the more notable of these are:
- Whether you’re in a union or not.
- How much experience you have and the licenses and certifications you’ve earned.
- If you have any specializations.
- Whether there’s a demand for regular overtime.
These can all have varying impacts on your salary, and their impact can even change over time. But, these can affect your salary in any state.
Is it Worth it?
Anyone considering a career would wonder whether the salary makes being an electrician in California worth it. The state has a noticeable high cost of living, after all, but an electrician’s salary is competitive despite that. You’ll have no problem earning a decent living.
While the entry-level salary can seem relatively low, it’s higher than many other careers, and the increased income as time goes on makes it more than worth it. There should be more than enough in your salary to cover everything and still put some money away.
Final Thoughts
The average electrician salary in California makes it a tempting career field. But, your potential wage will depend on multiple factors, and you could start off earning less than you would’ve thought. With enough experience, however, you’ll be making a great living before you know it.
