Barbers Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Barbers 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

$48,990

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$44,780

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 Barbers earning $48,990 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,780 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)	$38,340	$35,045	$-3,294
25th Percentile (P25)	$38,570	$35,255	$-3,314
Median (P50)	$48,990	$44,780	$-4,209
75th Percentile (P75)	$53,310	$48,729	$-4,580
90th Percentile (P90)	$53,310	$48,729	$-4,580

Key Insight

While $48,990 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $44,780. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Barbers (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Iowa

$88,778

RPP 88.4

2. North Carolina

$68,248

RPP 94.2

3. Washington

$64,435

RPP 109.8

4. Colorado

$55,415

RPP 102.3

5. Louisiana

$55,022

RPP 90.6

6. Kentucky

$54,731

RPP 89.4

7. Ohio

$51,289

RPP 91.5

8. Georgia

$49,718

RPP 95.8

9. Missouri

$48,726

RPP 91.1

10. Indiana

$47,483

RPP 91.8

Massachusetts ranks #13 out of 35 states for Barbers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Barbers in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Barbers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $48,990 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $44,780 — 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 Barbers in Massachusetts: $48,990 x (100 / 109.4) = $44,780. 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 Barbers's nominal salary of $48,990 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $44,780. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.