Electrician Salary

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 108.59% 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.

$54,073
Starting Salary
$26.00/hr
Starting Hourly
$54,073
Entry Level
$79,912
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Electrician Entry Level Salary in Somerville, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Somerville, MA electrician entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$54,073/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$62,024/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$79,912/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$102,287/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Somerville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for electricians in Somerville. The median salary is $79,912, compared to the national median of $64,530.$48.7K$69.0K$89.4K$109.7K$130.1K$54.1K10th Pctl$62.0K25th Pctl$79.9KMedian$102.3K75th Pctl$123.9K90th PctlUS Median$64.5K

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 $79,91223.84% above the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of electrician pay in the Somerville metro area.

Return on Investment

$18,000
Avg MA Program Cost
$54,073
Starting Salary
33.29%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electricians in Somerville. Baseline $41,488 in 2025, projected to $55,219 by 2027.$38.3K$43.8K$49.3K$54.8K$60.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.5K$42.0K$46.0K$46.5K$47.8K$57.2K$53.0K$54.1K$55.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,488Actual
2020$41,985Actual
2021$45,971Actual
2022$46,493Actual
2023$47,772Actual
2024$57,200Actual
2025$52,950Actual
2026(current)$54,073Estimated
2027$55,219Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Somerville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for electricians in Somerville in 2026?

Entry-level electricians in Somerville start at approximately $54,073/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.12% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $26.00/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do electrician salaries grow in Somerville?

Most electricians in Somerville progress from the entry-level salary of $54,073 to the area median of $79,912 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $123,863 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is electrical school worth it in Somerville?

With a starting salary of $54,073/year in Somerville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new electricians recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new electricians make right out of school in Somerville?

New electrical graduates in Somerville typically start near the 10th percentile at $54,073/year, or approximately $26.00/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a electrician in Massachusetts?

To become a licensed electrician in Massachusetts, you typically need high school diploma or equivalent plus an apprenticeship program., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Massachusetts, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some electricians pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

SC

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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