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2026 Salary Data — Boston, MA
Updated April 28, 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary in Boston: $144K Median

Electrical Engineers in Boston, MA earn between $98K and $228K per year.

That's +30% above the US national median of $110,540 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Electrical Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $143,702 per year — +30% above the US national median of $110,540. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $227,500 (90th percentile). Electrical Engineers in Boston earned approximately $25,211 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$143,702
+470.0% YoY · $11,975/mo
Entry
$97,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$188,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$227,500
Senior/lead
Electrical Engineer Salary — Boston vs Nearby
Boston
$144K
San Diego
$130K
+10% vs Boston
Seattle
$146K
-2% vs Boston
Long Beach
$133K
+8% vs Boston

Free ATS scan · Boston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Electrical Engineers in Boston

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical equipment, systems, and circuits. Work spans power, electronics, telecommunications, and embedded systems.

Core Responsibilities

  • Circuit design
  • PCB layout
  • Embedded systems
  • Power systems analysis
  • Testing and validation

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles

In-demand certifications

PE LicenseSix SigmaIEEE membership

Boston Job Market

Premier biotech, healthcare, and education hub with major tech presence.

Population
692K
Cost of Living
162
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$750K

Top Industries in Boston

HealthcareEducationBiotechTechFinance

Top Employers Hiring Electrical Engineers

Major employers active in Boston or hiring remotely from this metro.

Apple
Tesla
Intel
NVIDIA
Qualcomm
GE
Lockheed Martin
SpaceX

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Electrical Engineer listings.

Power electronics for EVSemiconductorsIoTAI hardwareRenewable energy systems

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

PCB designAltiumKiCadembedded systemsC/C++MATLABFPGApower systemsIoT
Career Outlook
+9% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand.

Electrical Engineer Salary Breakdown — Boston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$97,500$143,702$227,500
Monthly$8,125$11,975$18,958
Weekly$1,875$2,764$4,375
Hourly$47$69$109

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($110,540) adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Electrical Engineer Take-Home Pay in Boston

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$101,692.217
Per month$8,474
Biweekly paycheck$3,911
Effective tax rate29.2%

Tax Breakdown on $143,702

Gross salary$143,702
Federal income tax−$23,831.48
Massachusetts state tax−$7,185.1
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$10,993.203
Take-home (net)$101,692.217

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Electrical Engineer Salary by Experience — Boston

Career-stage progression for Electrical Engineers in Boston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$89,700
2–3 yr$97,500
4–6 yr$143,000
7–10 yr$188,500
11–15 yr$222,430
15+ yr$208,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Boston's 1.30× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,211
2026 median:$143,702
Change:+$118,491

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$88,705
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Electrical Engineer Salary in Boston

Walk-away anchor: $128,305 (offers below this are below market for Boston).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $189K–$228K for experienced roles, citing Boston market data and your specific Power electronics for EV/Semiconductors expertise.

Electrical Engineer Salary FAQ — Boston

What is the average Electrical Engineer salary in Boston, MA?
The average Electrical Engineer salary in Boston is $143,702 per year as of April 2026 — $11,975/month, $2,764/week, or about $69/hour. Salaries range from $97,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $227,500 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Boston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.30×).
Is $143,702 a good Electrical Engineer salary in Boston?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Boston's cost-of-living index is 162 (vs 100 nationally), giving $143,702 a real purchasing power of approximately $88,705 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $143,702 in Boston?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Boston specifically (median home price $750,000), a $143,702 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $143,702 enough for a single person in Boston?
A single adult in Boston typically needs ~$72,900 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $143,702 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $143,702 enough for a couple in Boston?
A couple (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$116,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $143,702 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $143,702 each ($287,404 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $143,702 enough for a family of 4 in Boston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Boston typically needs ~$178,200 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $143,702 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Boston. Childcare costs in Boston typically run $24K-$45K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Electrical Engineer in Boston?
On a $143,702 Electrical Engineer salary in Boston, MA, you take home approximately $101,692.217 per year ($8,474/month, $3,911 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $23,831.48, state $7,185.1, FICA $10,993.203. Effective tax rate: 29.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Electrical Engineers in Boston earn compared to the US average?
Electrical Engineers in Boston earn approximately 30% more than the US national median for this role ($110,540 nationally vs $143,702 in Boston). However, Boston's cost-of-living index of 162 means real purchasing power is approximately $88,705 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Electrical Engineer earn in Boston?
Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Boston typically start at around $97,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Electrical Engineers earn $188,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $227,500+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Electrical Engineer salaries in Boston increase in 2026?
Yes — Electrical Engineer salaries in Boston grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $25,211 in 2025 to $143,702 in 2026 (+$118,491). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by Power electronics for EV and Semiconductors demand.
What's the job outlook for Electrical Engineers in Boston?
Strong 9% growth driven by EV, renewable energy, semiconductors, and AI hardware demand. Boston's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Biotech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Electrical Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Electrical Engineers are: Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT, AI hardware, Renewable energy systems. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Boston.
Who are the top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in Boston?
Top employers hiring Electrical Engineers in or near Boston include: Apple, Tesla, Intel, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, GE. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Electrical Engineer salary in Boston?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Electrical Engineer salary in Boston?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Power electronics for EV, Semiconductors, IoT) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE License or Six Sigma). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Electrical Engineer in Boston?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); MS preferred for advanced roles is the typical path. However, Boston's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Electrical Engineer salary figures for Boston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($110,540) by Boston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.30× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Boston

Mechanical Engineer →Civil Engineer →

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$141KSeattle, WA$146KWashington, DC$144K

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