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What does a Food Scientists and Technologists salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Food Scientists and Technologists earning $103,580 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $94,680 in an average-cost US state.
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) | $68,990 | $63,062 | $-5,927 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $87,480 | $79,963 | $-7,516 |
| Median (P50) | $103,580 | $94,680 | $-8,899 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $149,830 | $136,956 | $-12,873 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $183,260 | $167,513 | $-15,746 |
While $103,580 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $94,680. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Food Scientists and Technologists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $103,580 median salary translates to $94,680 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Food Scientists and Technologists.
Massachusetts sits at #11 of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Food Scientists and Technologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #11 out of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Food Scientists and Technologists take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Food Scientists and Technologists in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $103,580 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $94,680 — a -8.6% difference.
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).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Food Scientists and Technologists in Massachusetts: $103,580 x (100 / 109.4) = $94,680. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Food Scientists and Technologists's nominal salary of $103,580 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $94,680. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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