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Airfield Operations Specialists Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Airfield Operations Specialists 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
$56,020
Median annual (2025)
-8.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$51,206
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 Airfield Operations Specialists earning $56,020 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,206 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) $45,610 $41,691 $-3,918
25th Percentile (P25) $50,770 $46,407 $-4,362
Median (P50) $56,020 $51,206 $-4,813
75th Percentile (P75) $64,750 $59,186 $-5,563
90th Percentile (P90) $78,250 $71,526 $-6,723
Key Insight

While $56,020 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $51,206. 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 Airfield Operations Specialists 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 $56,020 median salary translates to $51,207 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Airfield Operations Specialists.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#22 / 35

Massachusetts's rank of #22 of 35 states means real purchasing power for Airfield Operations Specialists trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Airfield Operations Specialists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Airfield Operations Specialists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$137,908
RPP 89.4
2. Alabama
$89,510
RPP 87.8
3. Arizona
$77,647
RPP 99.9
$76,548
RPP 109.8
$75,923
RPP 91.0
$75,757
RPP 102.3
$70,763
RPP 102.1
8. Oregon
$70,478
RPP 106.6
9. Alaska
$70,107
RPP 102.0
10. Georgia
$69,718
RPP 95.8

Massachusetts ranks #22 out of 35 states for Airfield Operations Specialists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Airfield Operations Specialists take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Airfield Operations Specialists in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Airfield Operations Specialists in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $56,020 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $51,206 — 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 Airfield Operations Specialists in Massachusetts: $56,020 x (100 / 109.4) = $51,206. 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 Airfield Operations Specialists's nominal salary of $56,020 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $51,206. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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