Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 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 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval earning $117,330 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $107,248 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) | $82,920 | $75,795 | $-7,124 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $87,050 | $79,570 | $-7,479 |
| Median (P50) | $117,330 | $107,248 | $-10,081 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $127,780 | $116,800 | $-10,979 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $163,060 | $149,049 | $-14,010 |
While $117,330 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $107,248. 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 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $117,330 median salary translates to $107,249 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval.
Massachusetts sits at #13 of 51 states for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Architects, Except Landscape and Naval salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #13 out of 51 states for Architects, Except Landscape and Naval after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Architects, Except Landscape and Naval take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $117,330 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $107,248 — 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 Architects, Except Landscape and Naval in Massachusetts: $117,330 x (100 / 109.4) = $107,248. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Architects, Except Landscape and Naval's nominal salary of $117,330 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $107,248. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.