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Dishwashers Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Dishwashers salary really buy you in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$37,190
Median annual (2025)
-8.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$33,994
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 Dishwashers earning $37,190 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $33,994 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) $34,030 $31,106 $-2,923
25th Percentile (P25) $35,690 $32,623 $-3,066
Median (P50) $37,190 $33,994 $-3,195
75th Percentile (P75) $41,910 $38,308 $-3,601
90th Percentile (P90) $46,000 $42,047 $-3,952
Key Insight

While $37,190 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $33,994. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Massachusetts Is a High-Cost State

RPP 109.4

Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Dishwashers needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-8.6%

After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $37,190 median salary translates to $33,995 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Dishwashers.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Massachusetts

#12 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Dishwashers, Massachusetts places #12 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Dishwashers (After Cost of Living)

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

$36,989
RPP 102.3
$36,510
RPP 98.0
$36,502
RPP 109.8
4. Nevada
$36,224
RPP 96.4
$35,715
RPP 101.3
6. Vermont
$35,618
RPP 101.1
7. Maine
$35,337
RPP 100.8
$35,290
RPP 91.1
9. Arizona
$35,165
RPP 99.9
10. Minnesota
$34,861
RPP 97.7

Massachusetts ranks #12 out of 51 states for Dishwashers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Dishwashers take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Dishwashers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $37,190 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $33,994 — 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 Dishwashers in Massachusetts: $37,190 x (100 / 109.4) = $33,994. 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 Dishwashers's nominal salary of $37,190 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $33,994. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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