Electricians in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs about 13,000 electricians and makes every one of them earn it. 8,000 hours for journeyman. 600 hours of Board-approved instruction for master. No reciprocity with any other state. The result: median wages of $76,000–$85,000, with Boston-area union scale pushing well past $100k. The barrier to entry is high, and that’s by design.
What does Massachusetts licensing actually require?
Massachusetts has some of the most demanding electrician licensing requirements in the country. The hours, the education, the exams — they don’t make it easy. That’s the point.
Licensing authority: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Electricians
Journeyman Electrician: 8,000 hours of documented electrical work over at least 4 years under a licensed Massachusetts Journeyman, plus a state exam. Master Electrician: active MA Journeyman license, at least 1 year of experience, 150 hours of Board-approved education, 600 hours of Board-approved instruction, plus a master exam. No reciprocity with other states. The barrier to entry is high — which is exactly why Massachusetts electricians earn what they do.
What do Massachusetts electricians earn?
Massachusetts employs roughly 13,000 electricians. Median annual wage: $76,000–$85,000 (BLS OEWS data).
Well above the national median. Boston metro pushes the high end — union scale on commercial projects regularly exceeds $100k. The state has some of the most stringent licensing and CE requirements in the country, which keeps supply constrained and wages up.
Run the numbers with the free Take-Home Pay Calculator →
Apprenticeship programs in Massachusetts
- IBEW Local 103 JATC (Boston / Eastern Massachusetts)
- IBEW Local 7 JATC (Springfield / Western Massachusetts)
- IBEW Local 104 JATC (Worcester / Central Massachusetts)
Which NEC edition does Massachusetts enforce?
Massachusetts enforces NEC 2020 with Massachusetts amendments through 527 CMR. The amendments are significant — don’t assume bare NEC tables are sufficient for permitted work in this state. Verify with the Board before referencing standard NEC values.
View Massachusetts NEC Adoption Details →
Free calculators for Massachusetts electricians
These run offline and match NEC reference tables:
- Wire Size Calculator
- Voltage Drop Calculator
- Conduit Fill Calculator
- Box Fill Calculator
- Conduit Bending Calculator
- GFCI & AFCI Requirements Guide
The app
Electrician’s NEC Field Calculator — wire sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill, box fill, motor circuits, equipment grounding. All from NEC tables. $9.99, once.
Massachusetts made you earn 8,000 hours and 600 hours of instruction. The least your tools can do is not charge you monthly. FieldLab is $9.99. Once.