Electrical Engineer Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $117,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Chelmsford, MA earns a median $117,364/year (≈ $56.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Chelmsford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $108,170 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chelmsford, Massachusetts, electrical engineers can expect a median annual salary of $117,364 in 2026, a figure that reflects local market conditions and cost variations. Salary ranges for this profession are broad, spanning from $77,687 at the 10th percentile to $176,563 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight the sector's significant disparities influenced by specialization. The local market leans heavily toward industries like semiconductor and chip design, where compensation tends to be markedly higher than in traditional utility power systems or defense roles.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,687 | $37.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,845 | $44.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,364 | $56.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,673 | $71.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,563 | $84.89 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford
In Chelmsford, MA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,876 (2026 est.). At $117,364, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelmsford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelmsford Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Chelmsford median: $117,364/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelmsford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $123,411 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -6.13% less |
Electrical Engineers in Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $117,364 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $123,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelmsford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,364 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,170 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,487
2025 BLS Actual
$113,231
2026 Current Est.
$117,364
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Chelmsford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,487 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,983 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,648 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $92,487 (2019) to $113,231 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,161 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,687 – $91,845 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,845 – $117,364 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,364 – $148,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,673 – $176,563 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Chelmsford
Despite the local job market employing only eight electrical engineers currently, Chelmsford's cost of living index at 108.5 suggests that salaries may not stretch as far as those in other regions with lower living expenses. Major employers in the area include tech giants like Apple and Intel, where engineers involved in chip design can command the highest salaries. In comparison, roles tied to defense contracting or utility services offer more moderate pay but may provide stability and benefits. The substantial variance in pay is driven by industry demand, with semiconductor roles leading in compensation due to their technical requirements, while engineers pursuing career advancement must consider trade-offs, such as the choice between the individual contributor (IC) track versus management paths. For maximizing their earnings potential in Chelmsford, engineers should focus on obtaining relevant certifications and pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and defense technology.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $113,231 for electrical engineersin the Chelmsford metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chelmsford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov