Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$72,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$47,368 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$39,698 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $72,000 | $85,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $65,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,000 | $109,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,000 | $135,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,368 | $52,469▲ | -$5,101 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,341 | $74,613▲ | -$14,272 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,698 | $46,057▲ | -$6,359 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 14,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $72,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($47,368 vs $52,469 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.