Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$85,000 vs $98,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$52,469 vs $52,688
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$46,057 vs $44,156
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000 | $98,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,000 | $75,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $109,000 | $125,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,000 | $155,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469 | $52,688▲ | -$219 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,613 | $82,131▲ | -$7,518 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,057▲ | $44,156 | +$1,901 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 12,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $13,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $98,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $52,688 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.