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

What does a Firefighter 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

$73,110

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$66,828

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 Firefighter earning $73,110 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $66,828 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)	$47,330	$43,263	$-4,066
25th Percentile (P25)	$61,930	$56,608	$-5,321
Median (P50)	$73,110	$66,828	$-6,281
75th Percentile (P75)	$80,480	$73,564	$-6,915
90th Percentile (P90)	$98,610	$90,137	$-8,472

Key Insight

While $73,110 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $66,828. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Firefighter (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Washington

$85,145

RPP 109.8

2. New York

$82,137

RPP 107.6

3. New Jersey

$80,569

RPP 108.8

4. Illinois

$78,065

RPP 101.3

5. Colorado

$74,838

RPP 102.3

6. Pennsylvania

$74,251

RPP 96.2

7. California

$74,133

RPP 112.5

8. Connecticut

$72,988

RPP 106.4

9. Montana

$70,897

RPP 90.3

10. Nevada

$69,626

RPP 96.4

Massachusetts ranks #15 out of 49 states for Firefighter after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Firefighter in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $73,110 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $66,828 — 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 Firefighter in Massachusetts: $73,110 x (100 / 109.4) = $66,828. 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 Firefighter's nominal salary of $73,110 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $66,828. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.