What does a Forest and Conservation Workers salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Forest and Conservation Workers earning $43,630 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $39,881 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) | $33,800 | $30,895 | $-2,904 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $36,930 | $33,756 | $-3,173 |
| Median (P50) | $43,630 | $39,881 | $-3,748 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $58,900 | $53,839 | $-5,060 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $75,900 | $69,378 | $-6,521 |
While $43,630 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $39,881. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Forest and Conservation Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #15 out of 25 states for Forest and Conservation Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Forest and Conservation Workers in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $43,630 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $39,881 — 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 Forest and Conservation Workers in Massachusetts: $43,630 x (100 / 109.4) = $39,881. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Forest and Conservation Workers's nominal salary of $43,630 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $39,881. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.