Commercial Pilots Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Commercial Pilots 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

$137,150

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$125,365

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 Commercial Pilots earning $137,150 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $125,365 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

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

Key Insight

While $137,150 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $125,365. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Commercial Pilots (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Connecticut

$213,477

RPP 106.4

2. Texas

$167,107

RPP 97.5

3. New York

$160,315

RPP 107.6

4. Delaware

$158,816

RPP 98.0

5. Georgia

$145,459

RPP 95.8

6. Michigan

$139,785

RPP 93.4

7. Wyoming

$137,725

RPP 91.9

8. Nevada

$137,437

RPP 96.4

9. Missouri

$136,180

RPP 91.1

10. Pennsylvania

$134,656

RPP 96.2

Massachusetts ranks #18 out of 49 states for Commercial Pilots after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Commercial Pilots in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $137,150 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $125,365 — 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 Commercial Pilots in Massachusetts: $137,150 x (100 / 109.4) = $125,365. 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 Commercial Pilots's nominal salary of $137,150 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $125,365. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.