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Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary really buy you in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$113,750
Median annual (2025)
-8.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$103,976
COL-adjusted (RPP=109.4)

Massachusetts Cost of Living Index

Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers earning $113,750 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $103,976 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $82,620 $75,521 $-7,098
25th Percentile (P25) $96,910 $88,583 $-8,326
Median (P50) $113,750 $103,976 $-9,773
75th Percentile (P75) $159,830 $146,096 $-13,733
90th Percentile (P90) $183,350 $167,595 $-15,754
Key Insight

While $113,750 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $103,976. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Massachusetts Is a High-Cost State

RPP 109.4

Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-8.6%

After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $113,750 median salary translates to $103,976 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#23 / 41

Massachusetts's rank of #23 of 41 states means real purchasing power for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Indiana
$158,267
RPP 91.8
$155,283
RPP 116.6
3. Alabama
$153,542
RPP 87.8
$143,282
RPP 92.3
$142,338
RPP 91.1
6. Kansas
$140,633
RPP 90.0
7. Iowa
$139,705
RPP 88.4
$139,558
RPP 90.6
$138,434
RPP 88.8
$137,961
RPP 94.2

Massachusetts ranks #23 out of 41 states for Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $113,750 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $103,976 — a -8.6% difference.

Is Massachusetts expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers in Massachusetts: $113,750 x (100 / 109.4) = $103,976. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Massachusetts offset the salary?

Partially — a Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers's nominal salary of $113,750 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $103,976. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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