Compensation and Benefits Managers Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Compensation and Benefits 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

$181,910

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$166,279

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 Compensation and Benefits Managers earning $181,910 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $166,279 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

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

Key Insight

While $181,910 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $166,279. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Compensation and Benefits Managers (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Washington

$187,905

RPP 109.8

2. Rhode Island

$174,918

RPP 104.7

3. New Jersey

$167,886

RPP 108.8

4. Virginia

$167,776

RPP 102.1

5. Massachusetts

$166,279

RPP 109.4

6. New York

$163,931

RPP 107.6

7. Colorado

$155,982

RPP 102.3

8. Wisconsin

$154,236

RPP 92.3

9. Michigan

$149,539

RPP 93.4

10. Georgia

$147,390

RPP 95.8

Massachusetts ranks #5 out of 42 states for Compensation and Benefits Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Compensation and Benefits Managers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $181,910 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $166,279 — 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 Compensation and Benefits Managers in Massachusetts: $181,910 x (100 / 109.4) = $166,279. 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 Compensation and Benefits Managers's nominal salary of $181,910 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $166,279. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.