Electrician Salary

Boston vs Cambridge: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$81,604
$39.23/hr
Cambridge, MA
$79,656
$38.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MACambridge, MA
Median Salary$81,604$79,656
Hourly Rate$39.23$38.30
Entry Level (P10)$48,241$50,842
25th Percentile$59,536$59,701
75th Percentile$104,326$101,960
Top Earner (P90)$132,062$123,466
Total Employed13,41022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($81,604) and Cambridge ($79,656) electrician salaries.BostonCambridgeMedian Salary$81,604$79,656Entry Level (P10)$48,241$50,842Top Earner (P90)$132,062$123,466US Median $64,530

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cambridge.

The salary gap between Boston and Cambridge is $1,948 (2.45%). Boston's median is +26.46% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $83,821,Cambridge spans $72,624. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$48,241
P25$59,536
Median$81,604
P75$104,326
P90 (Top)$132,062
Cambridge
P10 (Entry)$50,842
P25$59,701
Median$79,656
P75$101,960
P90 (Top)$123,466

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($75,374 effective) pays 2.67% more than Cambridge ($73,416 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $81,604
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $75,374
Cambridge
Nominal: $79,656
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $73,416

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,604/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,062)
  • Larger job market (13,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,374)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Cambridge if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Boston grew 16.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.1% growth in Cambridge over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.4%

$68,640 (2019) → $79,910 (2025)

Cambridge, MA

+-11.1%

$87,714 (2024) → $78,002 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Boston or Cambridge?

Boston has a higher median electrician salary at $81,604/year, compared to Cambridge at $79,656/year — a difference of $1,948 (2.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Cambridge?

Boston electricians earn $39.23/hr while Cambridge hygienists earn $38.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Cambridge as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Cambridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $75,374, Cambridge = $73,416), job availability (13,410 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Boston vs Cambridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $48,241 in Boston and $50,842 in Cambridge. The Cambridge area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov