Architectural and Engineering Managers Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Architectural and Engineering Managers salary really buy you in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$178,800

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$163,436

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 Architectural and Engineering Managers earning $178,800 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $163,436 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

While $178,800 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $163,436. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Architectural and Engineering Managers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Architectural and Engineering Managers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. New Mexico

$237,065

RPP 91.0

2. Louisiana

$185,253

RPP 90.6

3. Alabama

$179,407

RPP 87.8

4. California

$179,386

RPP 112.5

5. Delaware

$177,459

RPP 98.0

6. Texas

$175,025

RPP 97.5

7. South Carolina

$174,989

RPP 93.6

8. Ohio

$174,797

RPP 91.5

9. Michigan

$174,518

RPP 93.4

10. North Carolina

$173,492

RPP 94.2

Massachusetts ranks #23 out of 50 states for Architectural and Engineering Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Architectural and Engineering Managers in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Architectural and Engineering Managers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $178,800 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $163,436 — 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 Architectural and Engineering Managers in Massachusetts: $178,800 x (100 / 109.4) = $163,436. 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 Architectural and Engineering Managers's nominal salary of $178,800 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $163,436. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.