Entry-Level Electrician Salary in Somerville, MA: $54,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electricians entering the Somerville, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,073 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2111, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Somerville's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,837 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,912) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For new graduates entering the electrical field in Somerville, Massachusetts, the starting electrician salary is projected to be approximately $54,073 in 2026. This figure represents a significant entry point, though it is notably less than the overall city median salary of $79,912 for electricians. However, new professionals can expect to see gradual growth in their earnings as they gain experience, with potential salaries reaching around $62,024 as they move from the lowest decile to the 25th percentile within just a few years. Overall, Somerville presents a promising market for new graduates, allowing them to advance in their careers due to continued demand in the local construction and electrical services industry.
About the Somerville Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Somerville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Somerville
Entry-level electricians in Somerville, MA typically start between $54,073 and $62,024 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,790 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,912 — 23.84% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical program cost in Massachusetts of $18,000 represents just 33.29% of the starting electrician pay ($54,073/year) in Somerville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect registered apprenticeship training through NECA/IBEW JATCs or independent electrical contractors. Costs cover union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction. Non-union trade school pathways cost more but are shorter.
ELEC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Somerville
- 1Research the Somerville market: entry-level electrician pay ranges from $54,073 to $62,024, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Somerville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Somerville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Somerville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrician Compensation Range
The electrician wage spread in Somerville is $69,790 ( 129.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,073, experienced hygienists can earn up to $123,863.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,488
2025 BLS Actual
$52,950
2026 Current Est.
$54,073
2019–2027 Growth
+33.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,493 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,219 | Projected |
Entry-level electrician compensation (10th percentile) in Somerville, MA grew 27.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,488 in 2019 to $52,950 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,219. New graduates entering the Somerville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Somerville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical Career in Somerville
In Somerville, several local employers seek to hire new graduates from electrical training programs. The IBEW and NECA partnership provides a structured Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) program that prepares apprentices through a comprehensive 4-5 year training regimen. Alternatively, non-union contractors often recruit apprentices through the ABC apprenticeship programs, which focus on on-the-job training. Credentialing is pivotal for boosting entry-level pay in Massachusetts; securing a journeyman electrician license or additional certifications related to industrial controls can lead to better positions and salaries. In the early stages of a career, electricians should also consider specializations, such as solar power installation or data center electrical work, which are on the rise and can offer substantial pay increases. Those who enter the IBEW union can anticipate benefits that may increase their wages by 30-50% over non-union counterparts, making this path particularly attractive for recent grads seeking to maximize their starting electrician pay in MA.
More salary data for Somerville, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for electricians in Somerville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical graduates. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Somerville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Somerville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov