Electrical Engineer Salary in Boston, MA: $133,304 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Boston, MA earns a median $133,304/year (≈ $64.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $123,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, Massachusetts, the projected electrical engineer salary in 2026 is quite competitive, with a median annual compensation of $133,304. This translates to a range that spans from $81,676 at the lower end (P10) to $182,911 for the most experienced professionals (P90). These figures, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected forward, suggest a favorable climate for electrical engineers as they consider career trajectories. Many in the field face a choice between remaining on the individual contributor (IC) path or moving into managerial roles, with each option significantly influencing total compensation levels. In this dynamic job market, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of specialized skills, especially in areas such as semiconductor design and defense contracting, which tend to offer the highest salary premiums.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,676 | $39.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,681 | $49.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,304 | $64.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,675 | $80.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,911 | $87.94 |
Median Salary Position
6.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,235 (2026 est.). At $133,304, the local median is 6.62% above the national median of $125,033.
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How Boston Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Boston median: $133,304/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $123,430 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | +6.62% more |
Electrical Engineers in Boston, MA earn a median of $133,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.62% higher than the national median of $125,033 and 8.00% above the Massachusetts state average of $123,430.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,304 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,126 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,980
2025 BLS Actual
$128,610
2026 Current Est.
$133,304
2019–2027 Growth
+19.1%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,304 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 10.9% from $115,980 (2019) to $128,610 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,190 (19.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,676 – $103,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,681 – $133,304 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,304 – $167,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,675 – $182,911 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Boston
The local job market is robust, with approximately 4,030 electrical engineers currently employed in Boston. However, the cost of living index stands at 108.266, which means that while salaries are attractive, purchasing power may be impacted. Leading companies such as Apple and Nvidia in the semiconductor industry typically offer the highest salaries, driven by the demand for advanced chip design. Defense contractors, including Raytheon and Boeing, also provide competitive pay, particularly for those with security clearances, which command a premium in the market. The spread in compensation reflects varying industry standards, with sectors like utilities generally providing lower cash salaries but more long-term stability and benefits. For electrical engineers looking to maximize their pay in Boston, pursuing advanced degrees or professional licenses, such as PE, and aligning with top-tier tech firms are strategic moves to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $128,610 for electrical engineersin the Boston metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov