California is the highest-paying state for electricians in the country, and it's not even close. But the costs of running a business here eat into those rates hard. Between workers' comp, insurance, permits, and the general cost of everything, a $65/hr journeyman in California might net the same as a $40/hr guy in Tennessee.
So what should you be charging if you're running an electrical business in California right now? Here's what the numbers look like in 2026.
Hourly Rates by Region
| Region | Apprentice | Journeyman | Master Electrician |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF Bay Area | $24 - $32/hr | $42 - $62/hr | $65 - $85/hr |
| Los Angeles / OC | $22 - $30/hr | $38 - $55/hr | $58 - $78/hr |
| San Diego | $21 - $28/hr | $35 - $50/hr | $52 - $72/hr |
| Sacramento | $20 - $27/hr | $33 - $48/hr | $50 - $68/hr |
| Inland Empire | $19 - $26/hr | $30 - $44/hr | $46 - $62/hr |
| Central Valley | $17 - $24/hr | $28 - $40/hr | $42 - $56/hr |
The Bay Area leads because of the tech industry. Data centers, office buildouts, and high-end residential work keep demand sky-high. There aren't enough licensed electricians to fill the open positions, which pushes wages up.
Customer Bill Rates
California electrical contractors typically bill customers at 3x to 4x the tech's hourly pay. Yes, that's higher than most other states. But California overhead is also higher than most other states.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
| Region | Residential Bill Rate | Commercial Bill Rate |
|---|---|---|
| SF Bay Area | $135 - $195/hr | $155 - $225/hr |
| Los Angeles | $120 - $175/hr | $140 - $200/hr |
| San Diego | $110 - $160/hr | $130 - $185/hr |
| Sacramento | $105 - $150/hr | $125 - $175/hr |
| Central Valley | $90 - $130/hr | $110 - $155/hr |
Common Job Pricing
| Job Type | California Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Upgrade (100A to 200A) | $2,500 - $5,000 | Permit costs add $250-$500 in most cities |
| EV Charger Install (Level 2) | $800 - $2,200 | Huge demand, especially Bay Area and LA |
| Whole-House Rewire | $8,000 - $20,000 | Older homes in SF and LA top this range |
| Service Call / Troubleshooting | $89 - $149 | First hour or first 30 min |
| Outlet / Switch Install | $175 - $350 each | New work, not replacement |
| Recessed Lighting (per can) | $150 - $300 | New construction lower, retrofit higher |
EV charger installs are worth paying attention to. California has more EVs than any other state by a wide margin, and the backlog for charger installations is still months long in some areas. It's fast work with good margins if you position yourself for it.
California-Specific Cost Factors
Running an electrical business in California comes with some costs that other states don't deal with:
- Workers' comp rates. California workers' comp for electrical contractors runs $8-$14 per $100 of payroll. That's among the highest in the country. For a shop with $500,000 in payroll, you're looking at $40,000-$70,000 per year just in workers' comp.
- Permit fees vary wildly. San Francisco charges $400+ for a panel upgrade permit. Meanwhile, a smaller city in the Central Valley might charge $75. Know your local fees and build them into every quote.
- Title 24 compliance. California's energy code is stricter than most states. Lighting installs need to meet Title 24 requirements, which means more time on calculations and documentation. Price for it.
- Prevailing wage on public projects. If you do any government or school work, prevailing wage rates in California can be $75-$110/hr for journeyman electricians. It's good money, but the paperwork and compliance costs are real.
Where the Growth Is
Three areas are growing fastest for California electricians right now:
First, solar and battery storage. California's NEM 3.0 policy shifted the market toward battery storage, and that means more electrical work per solar install. The average battery backup system adds $1,500-$3,000 in electrical labor to a solar project.
Second, ADU (accessory dwelling unit) wiring. California loosened ADU rules a few years ago and the buildout is still going strong. Each ADU needs a sub-panel and full electrical. That's a $3,000-$8,000 job depending on size and complexity.
Third, commercial EV infrastructure. Apartment complexes and office buildings are adding charger banks. These are $10,000-$50,000+ projects with solid margins.
Use our pricing calculator to figure out your target bill rate based on your actual costs. And the contractor rate comparison shows where you fall relative to other electricians in your region.
Free Tools for Electrical Contractors
Estimate templates, rate calculators, and job costing spreadsheets. All free.
Download Free ToolsCalifornia is expensive to live in and expensive to run a business in. But the rates match if you price correctly. Don't leave money behind by guessing. Know your numbers, price for profit, and let the demand do the rest.
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