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Electrician in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Massachusetts employs 17,810 electricians, with a statewide median of $79,420 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Electricians Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $79,420 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,990
Experienced (75th percentile): $100,480
Top earners (90th percentile): $128,210
Employed in Massachusetts: 17,810
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,350 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Massachusetts markets:

Boston: $79,910 (13,410 employed)
Cape Cod: $78,570 (470 employed)
Springfield: $77,420 (860 employed)
Worcester: $75,510 (1,580 employed)
Providence: $73,980 (3,560 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $79,420 median is worth closer to $75,066 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow electricians employment +11.6%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,790 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Electrician License (E-2) — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians.

Complete a registered apprenticeship (IBEW Local 103 Boston, Local 223 South Shore, or NECA/IBEW programs statewide) OR accumulate the documented OJT hours required under 237 CMR 13.02: typically 8,000 on-the-job hours plus 600 hours of Board-approved classroom education across five years.
Apply to the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians for your Journeyman exam application. Pass the state exam administered through PSI (multiple-choice, open-book, covers the NEC and MA electrical code). Score 70% or higher.
Apply for your Journeyman Electrician (E-2) license. Renew every three years with 21 hours of continuing education. Massachusetts electricians are in high demand — IBEW Local 103 is one of the largest and most active locals in New England.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians →

Training in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a strong union state for electrical work — IBEW Local 103 (Boston) and its apprenticeship programs dominate the commercial and industrial sectors. Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and Wentworth Institute of Technology offer electrician prep programs. Boston's ongoing construction boom, including healthcare expansions, biotech facilities, and transit projects, creates strong journeyman demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology — Certificate / Associate
Motoring Technical Training Institute — Certificate
North Shore Community College — Associate
Southeastern Technical Institute — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.

Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.

Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

First Steps

Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electricians make in Massachusetts?

The median wage for electricians in Massachusetts is $79,420 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,990, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $128,210. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Massachusetts?

Journeyman Electrician License (E-2), overseen by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians. Complete a registered apprenticeship (IBEW Local 103 Boston, Local 223 South Shore, or NECA/IBEW programs statewide) OR accumulate the documented OJT hours required under 237 CMR 13.02: typically 8,000 on-the-job hours plus 600 hours of Board-approved classroom education across five years.

Is being an Electrician a good career in Massachusetts?

Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.

Which Massachusetts metros pay electricians the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $79,910, followed by Cape Cod ($78,570), Springfield ($77,420). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Electrician in Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Motoring Technical Training Institute, North Shore Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Electrician a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects electricians employment to change +11.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,790 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.