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