Electrician Salary - Northeast
High union density, strong wages, competitive apprenticeship programs
Wage figures reflect all electricians across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Northeast is one of the strongest union markets in the country for electricians. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine all pay above the national median, driven by dense commercial construction activity, strong IBEW locals, and a high cost of doing business that pushes wages upward. Vermont and New Hampshire trail the region but still offer solid journeyman wages relative to their cost of living.
IBEW density is high across the Northeast. Boston, Hartford, Providence, and Portland are union-dominated commercial markets. The region has some of the most active JATCs in the country -- Massachusetts in particular runs highly competitive apprenticeship programs with long waitlists. Non-union residential work exists but commercial and industrial work is overwhelmingly union.
Cost of living varies significantly within the Northeast. Massachusetts is the most expensive state in the region with a COL index of 147.8 -- the second highest in the country behind Hawaii. Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut are also above the national average. New Hampshire is the outlier at 110.1 -- still above average but considerably more affordable than Boston. The wage premium in Massachusetts is real but housing costs are among the highest in the nation.
- →Life sciences and biotech construction concentrated in the Boston metro -- one of the most active commercial construction markets in the country
- →Higher education and hospital construction driving consistent electrical demand across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
- →Grid modernization and offshore wind infrastructure buildout along the New England coast
- →Aging building stock requiring electrical upgrades and service work across the region
- →Data center development in Connecticut and Massachusetts driven by proximity to New York financial markets
The Northeast is a solid destination for traveling journeymen, particularly Boston and Hartford. Massachusetts IBEW locals pay some of the highest scale rates in the region and frequently recruit travelers during peak construction cycles. New England winters slow residential work but commercial projects run year-round. Cost of living is the significant consideration -- Boston and coastal Connecticut are expensive markets. Check current openings on RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro before making the trip.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $79,420 +$16,230 vs. national | 147.8 | $53,735 $-9,455 vs. national |
| Connecticut | $77,540 +$14,350 vs. national | 114.2 | $67,898 +$4,708 vs. national |
| Maine | $75,380 +$12,190 vs. national | 114.6 | $65,777 +$2,587 vs. national |
| Rhode Island | $74,090 +$10,900 vs. national | 111.2 | $66,628 +$3,438 vs. national |
| Vermont | $63,430 +$240 vs. national | 113.0 | $56,133 $-7,057 vs. national |
| New Hampshire | $62,840 $-350 vs. national | 110.1 | $57,075 $-6,115 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Electricians - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.