Salary data is based on the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metropolitan area and applied to Boston using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Electrical Engineers Salaries in Boston, MA

Average Base Pay

$127,520/yr

13% above national average

Monthly

$10,627

Hourly

$61

Cost Index

146

Electrical Engineers in Boston, MA earn an average of $127,520 per year, with most salaries falling between $102,016 and $153,024 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 13% above the national average, Boston ranks among the higher-paying markets for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 146. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Boston.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$96K
Low

$128K
Median

$159K
High

25th percentile: $108K75th percentile: $147K

About Electrical Engineers

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems and components including power generation and distribution systems, electronic circuits, communication systems, control systems, and embedded systems. The field spans power engineering, electronics, signal processing, telecommunications, and embedded systems design. Power engineers design high-voltage transmission systems, substations, and electrical distribution networks. Electronics engineers design printed circuit boards, analog and digital circuits, and microelectronic devices. Embedded systems engineers develop firmware and hardware for microcontrollers in products ranging from appliances to aerospace systems. Control engineers design feedback and automation systems for manufacturing, robotics, and process control. Electrical engineers use simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, SPICE, and Altium Designer, and must translate theoretical designs into physical hardware that meets performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements. They work in energy, manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics industries. PE licensure is required for power systems engineers working on public utility projects.

What Electrical Engineers Do

Design electrical systems, circuits, and components for products or infrastructure
Develop schematics and PCB layouts using EDA tools
Perform circuit analysis, simulation, and validation testing
Specify electrical components and materials for design requirements
Develop firmware for embedded systems and microcontrollers
Ensure designs meet safety standards and regulatory requirements
Collaborate with mechanical engineers, software engineers, and manufacturing teams
Troubleshoot and resolve electrical system failures

Key Skills & Qualifications

Circuit design and analysis (analog and digital)
PCB design using Altium Designer, KiCad, or Eagle
MATLAB and Simulink for modeling and simulation
Embedded C/C++ programming for microcontrollers
Power systems fundamentals and electrical code knowledge
Oscilloscope, multimeter, and laboratory instrument proficiency
PE licensure (required for power engineering roles)
Cross-disciplinary collaboration with mechanical and software teams

Career Path

Electrical Engineer I / EIT
Electrical Engineer II
Senior Electrical Engineer
Principal / Staff Engineer
Engineering Manager / Chief Engineer

Electrical Engineers Market in Boston, MA

Salary Competitiveness

Boston is one of the stronger-paying markets for Electrical Engineers, with local salaries running approximately 13% above the national median. This premium typically reflects a combination of higher employer competition, concentrated industry presence, and elevated cost expectations built into local compensation norms.

Cost of Living Impact

The cost of living in Boston is well above the national average, and essential monthly expenses consume roughly 50% of take-home pay for this role. That compression means a higher gross salary buys less financial breathing room than the headline number suggests—particularly for housing, which tends to dominate the budget in high-cost markets.

Effective Purchasing Power

The purchasing power of $127,520 for a Electrical Engineers in Boston is moderate: enough to meet essential expenses and build incremental savings, but requiring deliberate budgeting to avoid margin erosion—especially as rent and healthcare costs have outpaced wage growth across many mid-tier markets.

vs. National Avg

+13%

Cost Pressure

50%

Purchasing Power

Moderate

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$93,090

Monthly

$7,758

Weekly

$1,790

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $127,520 for a Electrical Engineers in Boston translates to roughly $7,758 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $3,910—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $3,848 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Boston's current market.

How far does this salary go in Boston?

Cost of Living in Boston

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Boston, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

146

High — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$2,490/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$630/mo

🚗Transportation$165/mo

💡Utilities$225/mo

🏥Healthcare$400/mo

Monthly$3,910

Annual$46,920

Disposable Income$3,848

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Boston to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$7,758

Living Costs

$3,910

Disposable

$3,848

Cost Index

146

Lifestyle

Moderate

With a monthly take-home of $7,758, your estimated living costs in Boston are $3,910 ($46,920/yr). This leaves $3,848 per month in disposable income, indicating a moderate standard of living. Boston's cost of living is 46% above the national average.

Overall, a Electrical Engineers earning $127,520 in Boston falls into a moderate lifestyle tier and can cover essentials and hit modest savings goals, though discretionary spending warrants careful planning. With a cost index of 146, Boston is 46% more expensive than the national average, which compresses real purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Boston continue to evolve.