Electrical Engineer Salary in Watertown, MA: $121,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Watertown, MA earns a median $121,866/year (≈ $58.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $112,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for electrical engineers is set at $121,866 in 2026, reflecting the city's competitive job market influenced by sectors such as semiconductor and chip design, which consistently offer higher pay than traditional utility power systems or defense-clearance positions. The salary range for electrical engineers in the area spans from $78,689 at the 10th percentile to $176,092 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variance based on industry sector and individual qualifications. These figures are based on estimates from 2025 BLS data, projected forward to 2026, considering regional cost adjustments that highlight Watertown's unique economic landscape, which encompasses both tech-heavy companies and established defense contractors. The presence of major players like Apple and Intel contributes to a flourishing job market for engineers looking to enter high-paying fields.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,689 | $37.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,244 | $47.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,866 | $58.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,964 | $72.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,092 | $84.66 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, MA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,403 (2026 est.). At $121,866, the local median is 2.53% below the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Watertown median: $121,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $123,472 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -2.53% less |
Electrical Engineers in Watertown, MA earn a median of $121,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $123,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,866 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $112,319 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,035
2025 BLS Actual
$117,575
2026 Current Est.
$121,866
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,241 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,363 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,575 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $96,035 (2019) to $117,575 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,280 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $78,689 – $98,244 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,244 – $121,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,866 – $149,964 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,964 – $176,092 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Watertown
The local job market for electrical engineers in Watertown, MA, currently employs only seven professionals, indicating a specialized and potentially tight job market. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5—slightly above the national average—engineers must take this into account when negotiating salaries to ensure their take-home pay retains its purchasing power. Companies like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman offer competitive packages, especially for those with security clearances, while semiconductor firms provide premium salaries reflecting the intense demand for design engineers. The disparity in pay among various sectors is influenced by factors such as educational credentials, experience, and possible security clearances, which command premium compensation. For those pursuing advancement, maximizing pay in Watertown may involve targeting roles in high-demand industries and considering the benefits of pursuing advanced degrees or professional engineering licenses to stand out in this competitive field.
More salary data for Watertown, 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 $117,575 for electrical engineersin the Watertown 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
Salary data for Watertown 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 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