Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$78,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$60,000 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$50,589 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $78,000 | $85,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $65,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $100,000 | $109,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,000 | $135,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $60,000▲ | $52,469 | +$7,531 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,766 | $74,613▲ | -$8,847 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $50,589▲ | $46,057 | +$4,532 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 14,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $78,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($60,000 vs $52,469 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
4More Electrician City Comparisons
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.