Electrician Salary

Boston vs Chelmsford: Electrician Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$81,604
$39.23/hr
Chelmsford, MA
$74,939
$36.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChelmsford, MA
Median Salary$81,604$74,939
Hourly Rate$39.23$36.03
Entry Level (P10)$48,241$52,710
25th Percentile$59,536$59,612
75th Percentile$104,326$95,921
Top Earner (P90)$132,062$116,155
Total Employed13,4108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($81,604) and Chelmsford ($74,939) electrician salaries.BostonChelmsfordMedian Salary$81,604$74,939Entry Level (P10)$48,241$52,710Top Earner (P90)$132,062$116,155US Median $64,530

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Chelmsford is $6,665 (8.89%). 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,Chelmsford spans $63,445. 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
Chelmsford
P10 (Entry)$52,710
P25$59,612
Median$74,939
P75$95,921
P90 (Top)$116,155

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($75,374 effective) pays 9.13% more than Chelmsford ($69,068 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $81,604
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $75,374
Chelmsford
Nominal: $74,939
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $69,068

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 Chelmsford 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 -13.2% growth in Chelmsford over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.4%

$68,640 (2019) → $79,910 (2025)

Chelmsford, MA

+-13.2%

$84,571 (2024) → $73,383 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Boston or Chelmsford?

Boston has a higher median electrician salary at $81,604/year, compared to Chelmsford at $74,939/year — a difference of $6,665 (8.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chelmsford?

Boston electricians earn $39.23/hr while Chelmsford hygienists earn $36.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Chelmsford as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chelmsford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $75,374, Chelmsford = $69,068), job availability (13,410 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $48,241 in Boston and $52,710 in Chelmsford. The Chelmsford 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