Electrical Engineer Salary

Boston vs Marlborough: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Boston, MA and Marlborough, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$133,304
$64.09/hr
Marlborough, MA
$121,886
$58.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMarlborough, MA
Median Salary$133,304$121,886
Hourly Rate$64.09$58.60
Entry Level (P10)$81,676$78,734
25th Percentile$103,681$93,567
75th Percentile$167,675$150,196
Top Earner (P90)$182,911$175,856
Total Employed4,03010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($133,304) and Marlborough ($121,886) electrical engineer salaries.BostonMarlboroughMedian Salary$133,304$121,886Entry Level (P10)$81,676$78,734Top Earner (P90)$182,911$175,856US Median $125,033

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Marlborough.

The salary gap between Boston and Marlborough is $11,418 (9.37%). Boston's median is +6.62% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $101,235,Marlborough spans $97,122. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$81,676
P25$103,681
Median$133,304
P75$167,675
P90 (Top)$182,911
Marlborough
P10 (Entry)$78,734
P25$93,567
Median$121,886
P75$150,196
P90 (Top)$175,856

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($123,126 effective) pays 9.60% more than Marlborough ($112,337 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $133,304
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $123,126
Marlborough
Nominal: $121,886
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $112,337

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 ($133,304/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,911)
  • Larger job market (4,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $123,126)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Marlborough if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Boston grew 10.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.8% growth in Marlborough over the same period.

Boston, MA

+10.9%

$115,980 (2019) → $128,610 (2025)

Marlborough, MA

+-16.8%

$141,385 (2024) → $117,594 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Boston or Marlborough?

Boston has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $133,304/year, compared to Marlborough at $121,886/year — a difference of $11,418 (9.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Marlborough?

Boston electrical engineers earn $64.09/hr while Marlborough hygienists earn $58.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Marlborough as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Marlborough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $123,126, Marlborough = $112,337), job availability (4,030 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Boston vs Marlborough?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $81,676 in Boston and $78,734 in Marlborough. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% 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 Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov