Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Health Education Specialists 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 Health Education Specialists earning $57,510 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $52,568 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) | $37,460 | $34,241 | $-3,218 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $43,100 | $39,396 | $-3,703 |
| Median (P50) | $57,510 | $52,568 | $-4,941 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $85,740 | $78,372 | $-7,367 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $142,860 | $130,585 | $-12,274 |
While $57,510 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $52,568. 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 Health Education Specialists needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $57,510 median salary translates to $52,569 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Health Education Specialists.
Massachusetts ranks #50 of 51 — bottom quartile for Health Education Specialists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Health Education Specialists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #50 out of 51 states for Health Education Specialists after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Health Education Specialists take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Health Education Specialists in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $57,510 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $52,568 — 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 Health Education Specialists in Massachusetts: $57,510 x (100 / 109.4) = $52,568. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Health Education Specialists's nominal salary of $57,510 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $52,568. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.