Electrician in Somerville, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Somerville Stands

As a local who’s watched the trade evolve across the Greater Boston area for years, I can tell you straight up: Somerville isn’t the highest-paying city for electricians in Massachusetts, but it offers a competitive, stable market with a distinct advantage. You’re plugging into the heart of a dense, transit-rich metro area with constant residential and commercial upgrades. The median salary here sits at $63,691/year, or an hourly rate of $30.62/hour. This is a solid step above the national average of $61,550/year, reflecting the regional premium for skilled trades in the Boston area. The metro area supports about 241 jobs for electricians, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 11%, which is on par with national trends but fueled by local demand for infrastructure upgrades, green energy retrofits, and the relentless cycle of housing renovation in this aging city.

Breaking this down by experience is crucial for setting realistic expectations:

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Somerville)	Typical Responsibilities
Entry-Level / Apprentice	$42,000 - $52,000	Assisting journeymen, material handling, basic conduit runs, residential rough-ins.
Mid-Level / Journeyman	$62,000 - $75,000	Independent work on residential/commercial projects, troubleshooting, code compliance.
Senior / Master Electrician	$80,000 - $100,000+	Project management, permitting, complex installations, code inspections, business development.
Expert / Specialist	$90,000 - $120,000+	Focus on high-voltage, industrial, data centers, or renewable energy systems.

When you compare Somerville to other major Massachusetts cities, the context becomes clear. Boston proper commands a higher premium, often 10-15% above Somerville, but comes with a higher cost of living and fierce competition. Worcester and Springfield offer lower salaries—often $55,000-$70,000 for journeymen—but a significantly lower cost of living. Framingham and Lowell are closer economic peers, but Somerville’s direct access to the MBTA Red Line and its proximity to major employers in Cambridge and Boston gives its electricians a strategic advantage for finding diverse work without a long commute.

Insider Tip: The $63,691 median is a great baseline, but union electricians (IBEW Local 103) often earn more, with package rates (including benefits) that can push total compensation well over the $75,000 mark for journeyman roles. Always inquire about union vs. non-union shops when interviewing.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get down to brass tacks. Earning the median salary of $63,691 in Somerville is a balancing act. The city’s cost of living index is 111.6 (U.S. average = 100), meaning you’re paying a significant premium for location. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,064/month. Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown based on that median income, using federal and state tax estimates (single filer, standard deduction, MA 5% flat tax):

Monthly Expense	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Pay	$5,308	$63,691 / 12 months
Taxes (Fed + MA)	~$1,150	Approx. 21.7% effective rate
Net Take-Home	~$4,158	After taxes
Rent (1BR Avg)	$2,064	Can vary from $1,800 (East Somerville) to $2,400+ (Davis Square)
Utilities	$150	Electricity, gas, internet. Older Somerville buildings can be inefficient.
Car/Insurance/MBTA	$250	Many residents use the T; a car is optional but expensive to park/store.
Groceries & Essentials	$400
Health Insurance	$200	Varies widely; union plans are often better.
Remaining (Savings/Discretionary)	~$1,094

Can you afford to buy a home? It’s challenging. The median home price in Somerville is well over $700,000. A 20% down payment is $140,000+. With a net monthly income of ~$4,158, a mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would likely exceed $3,000/month, pushing your housing cost ratio over 70%—unsustainable. Most electricians I know in the area either rent long-term, buy in more affordable suburbs like Malden or Medford, or purchase with a partner’s dual income.

Insider Tip: Look for apartments in older triple-deckers. Landlords sometimes offer better rates for reliable tradespeople, and you’ll often be the first call for maintenance needs—sometimes even for rent reduction.

Where the Jobs Are: Somerville's Major Employers

Somerville’s job market for electricians is a mix of local contractors, regional firms, and institutional employers. The construction boom in nearby Cambridge (Harvard, MIT, Kendall Square) spills over constantly. Here are the key players:

1. IBEW Local 103 (Journeymen & Apprentices): The union hall in Dorchester is the epicenter for large commercial and industrial projects. Many Somerville-based contractors are signatory to Local 103. Hiring is cyclical but steady; signing the books is a common path to work. Apprenticeship is highly competitive but offers the best long-term earnings and benefits.

2. Somerville Public Schools & City of Somerville Facilities: The city maintains its own buildings, schools (like Somerville High and the new East Somerville Community School), and infrastructure. They hire electricians for maintenance staff. These are stable, union (AFSCME) positions with good benefits but can be hard to get into. Watch the city’s job postings.

3. Local Residential & Commercial Contractors: Firms like Carr Electric, P.R. Smith Electric, and B & B Electric are staples. They handle everything from South End brownstone rewires to commercial fit-outs in Union Square. They’re always looking for reliable journeymen, especially those with Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician (JME) licenses.

4. Hospital & Institutional Work: While not in Somerville itself, the proximity is key. Massachusetts General Hospital (a 10-minute drive or subway ride), Brigham and Women’s, and Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston and Cambridge have massive, ongoing electrical needs for upgrades, research labs, and new construction. These projects often go to large electrical contractors who employ many electricians.

5. Green Energy & Solar Installers: With MA’s strong incentive programs, companies like Boston Solar and Sunrun have a significant presence. They’re hiring electricians with interest in renewables. This is a growth specialty that commands a premium.

6. Universities & Labs (Cambridge/Boston): Harvard, MIT, Tufts (in Medford), and various biotech firms in Kendall Square are in a perpetual state of renovation and expansion. Their facilities departments hire electricians directly, and the contractors servicing them are constantly staffing up.

Hiring Trend: Demand is strong for electricians who can handle smart home integrations, energy efficiency retrofits (like heat pumps), and commercial tenant fit-outs. Bilingual Spanish/English electricians are in high demand for residential work in East Somerville and Magoun Square.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has clear, strict licensing requirements. The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians (BSEE) oversees this. Here’s the path:

• Step 1: Become an Apprentice. You need 600 hours of classroom instruction (over 4 years) and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) under a licensed electrician. You must register as an apprentice with the state.
• Step 2: Get Your Journeyman License. After completing apprenticeship, you must pass a state exam. The exam covers the National Electrical Code (NEC) and MA amendments. Exam fee: ~$150. License fee: ~$100.
• Step 3: Master Electrician License. Requires 3 years of full-time experience as a licensed journeyman and passing a more advanced exam. This allows you to pull permits and run your own business. Fees are similar.

Timeline & Costs:

• To Journeyman: 4 years total (apprenticeship). Total cost for schooling is often covered by employers or union programs, but out-of-pocket costs can be $3,000-$5,000 for books, fees, and tools.
• Costs: Exam and licensing fees are relatively low ($250-$350 total). The biggest cost is the apprenticeship time, but you earn while you learn.

Insider Tip: The exam is notoriously detailed. Use the Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide to the NEC and the Massachusetts Amendments for study. Many local community colleges (like Bunker Hill CC in Charlestown) offer prep courses.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Your choice of neighborhood in Somerville affects your commute, lifestyle, and rent. Here’s the breakdown:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1BR Avg)	Best For
Davis Square	Hub of the T, vibrant nightlife, dense. Red Line to Boston/Cambridge in 15 mins.	$2,300 - $2,500	Electricians who want a social scene and easy transit to jobs in Cambridge.
Union Square	Up-and-coming, major redevelopment. Slower commute (bus to Red Line). More residential.	$2,000 - $2,200	Those who want more space, don’t mind a longer commute, and like a neighborhood feel.
East Somerville	Working-class, diverse, close to Assembly Row (retail/jobs). Less transit, more car-friendly.	$1,800 - $2,100	Budget-conscious electricians, families, or those with a car. Strong community.
Teele Square	Residential, quieter, close to Medford. Good mix of families and young professionals.	$1,900 - $2,200	Those seeking a balance between city life and quiet, with easy access to I-93.
Magoun Square	Affordable, gritty, authentic. Five-minute walk to Ball Square (Red Line).	$1,700 - $1,950	The best value for solo electricians. Close to transit but without the Davis Square price.

Insider Tip: Parking is a nightmare in Davis and Union Squares. If you own a work van or truck, East Somerville or Magoun Square with a driveway or dedicated spot is a game-changer.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook (11% growth) is positive, driven by:

1. Green Energy Mandates: Mass Save programs and state laws pushing for heat pumps, EV chargers, and solar. Electricians with these certifications (like NABCEP for solar) can command a 10-15% salary premium.
2. Infrastructure Aging: Somerville’s housing stock is old. Full-scale rewires, panel upgrades (to 200A for EVs), and code compliance work are endless.
3. Specialty Paths:
   • Low-Voltage/Data: Certification in structured cabling (BICSI) is huge for the biotech/tech sector.
   • Industrial: Working in the few remaining manufacturing plants or power generation facilities (like the Mystic River plant).
   • Fire Alarm & Security: High demand in commercial and multi-family buildings.

Advancement: The typical path is Apprentice → Journeyman → Foreman/Project Manager → Master Electrician/Business Owner. The jump to business owner is where the real financial upside is, but it comes with risk and overhead. Working for a large contractor (like those servicing hospitals) often provides the best path to management roles.

The Verdict: Is Somerville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market with access to Boston/Cambridge projects.	High cost of living, especially housing. Homeownership is a distant dream on a single income.
Median salary of $63,691 is above the national average.	Competitive rental market; finding affordable, adequate housing is a challenge.
Excellent public transit (Red Line) reduces commuting costs and stress.	Old building stock means frequent, sometimes frustrating, repair work.
Diverse community and vibrant cultural scene.	Winters are cold and can impact outdoor/renovation work schedules.
Pathways to high-paying specialties in green energy and high-tech sectors.	Licensing process is lengthy and requires a significant time investment.

Final Recommendation: Somerville is an excellent choice for a licensed journeyman or master electrician who is comfortable renting long-term and values urban amenities and job diversity. It’s less ideal for an apprentice just starting out, due to the high cost of living, unless you have a strong support system. For an electrician with 5+ years of experience who is skilled, reliable, and possibly looking to specialize, Somerville offers a rewarding career with a good balance of work opportunity and quality of life.

FAQs

Q: Do I need a car to work as an electrician in Somerville?
A: Not necessarily, but it’s highly advantageous. A car or van is essential if you’re self-employed or working for a contractor who requires you to bring your own tools to job sites. For union or institutional jobs, they often provide vehicles. The MBTA is reliable for commuting to job sites in Boston/Cambridge, but carrying a full tool bag on the T is impractical for daily work.

Q: What’s the best way to find a job as an electrician in Somerville?
A: 1) Apply directly to local contractors (list above). 2) Sign the books at IBEW Local 103 if you’re union-eligible. 3) Use job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, but filter for "Boston" or "Cambridge" as many Somerville contractors list there. 4) Network with other electricians at supply houses like EGW or CED in nearby Chelsea.

Q: How competitive is the apprenticeship?
A: Very competitive. The IBEW Local 103 apprenticeship is a top program with hundreds of applicants for a few dozen spots each year. Non-union apprenticeships are also competitive but may have less stringent entry requirements. Having a driver’s license, a clean background, and some basic experience (like from a trade school) helps.

Q: Are there opportunities for overtime?
A: Yes, especially in construction and with larger contractors. Overtime is common on commercial projects (hospitals, labs) and during emergency service calls. It can significantly boost your annual earnings beyond the median salary.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for electricians in Somerville?
A: The cost of living, without a doubt. The gap between the median salary ($63,691) and the cost of rent ($2,064/month) means careful budgeting is non-negotiable. The second challenge is navigating the complex permitting process in older buildings, which requires deep knowledge of both the NEC and local Somerville building codes.