Electrician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Electrician Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Electricians in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$80,000 vs $85,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$52,632 vs $52,469
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$45,470 vs $46,057
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $80,000 | $85,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,000 | $65,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,000 | $109,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,000 | $135,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,632▲ | $52,469 | +$163 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $69,115 | $74,613▲ | -$5,498 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $45,470 | $46,057▲ | -$587 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 14,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $5,000 more (median: $80,000 vs $85,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($52,632 vs $52,469 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.