Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Actuaries salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Actuaries earning $126,040 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $115,210 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $83,660 | $76,471 | $-7,188 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $97,860 | $89,451 | $-8,408 |
| Median (P50) | $126,040 | $115,210 | $-10,829 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $165,040 | $150,859 | $-14,180 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $179,750 | $164,305 | $-15,444 |
While $126,040 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $115,210. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Actuaries needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $126,040 median salary translates to $115,210 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Actuaries.
Massachusetts ranks #29 of 36 — bottom quartile for Actuaries real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Actuaries salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #29 out of 36 states for Actuaries after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Actuaries take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Actuaries in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $126,040 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $115,210 — a -8.6% difference.
Massachusetts's cost of living is 9.4% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Massachusetts is 109.4 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Actuaries in Massachusetts: $126,040 x (100 / 109.4) = $115,210. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Actuaries's nominal salary of $126,040 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $115,210. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.