Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$55,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$53,398 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$47,119 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $55,000 | $85,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $65,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $109,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $87,000 | $135,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $53,398▲ | $52,469 | +$929 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,533 | $74,613▲ | -$26,080 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $47,119▲ | $46,057 | +$1,062 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 14,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $30,000 more (median: $55,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($53,398 vs $52,469 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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.