Electrician Salary

New Bedford vs Worcester: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between New Bedford, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Bedford, MA
$79,425
$38.18/hr
Worcester, MA
$77,111
$37.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Bedford, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$79,425$77,111
Hourly Rate$38.18$37.07
Entry Level (P10)$55,629$47,363
25th Percentile$63,265$57,402
75th Percentile$101,664$94,767
Top Earner (P90)$123,109$102,365
Total Employed241,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Bedford ($79,425) and Worcester ($77,111) electrician salaries.New BedfordWorcesterMedian Salary$79,425$77,111Entry Level (P10)$55,629$47,363Top Earner (P90)$123,109$102,365US Median $64,530

Verdict

New Bedford, MA offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Worcester.

The salary gap between New Bedford and Worcester is $2,314 (3.00%). New Bedford's median is +23.08% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Bedford spans $67,480,Worcester spans $55,002. New Bedford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$55,629
P25$63,265
Median$79,425
P75$101,664
P90 (Top)$123,109
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$47,363
P25$57,402
Median$77,111
P75$94,767
P90 (Top)$102,365

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($75,213 effective) pays 2.75% more than New Bedford ($73,203 effective).

New Bedford
Nominal: $79,425
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $73,203
Worcester
Nominal: $77,111
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $75,213

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Bedford if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,425/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,109)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Larger job market (1,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,213)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in New Bedford grew 22.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.9% growth in Worcester over the same period.

New Bedford, MA

+22.1%

$63,690 (2019) → $77,776 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+15.9%

$65,150 (2019) → $75,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: New Bedford or Worcester?

New Bedford has a higher median electrician salary at $79,425/year, compared to Worcester at $77,111/year — a difference of $2,314 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Bedford and Worcester?

New Bedford electricians earn $38.18/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $37.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Bedford to Worcester as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Bedford and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Bedford = $73,203, Worcester = $75,213), job availability (24 vs 1,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in New Bedford vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $55,629 in New Bedford and $47,363 in Worcester. The New Bedford 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