Human Resources Manager Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Human Resources Manager 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

$176,510

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$161,343

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 Human Resources Manager earning $176,510 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $161,343 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

While $176,510 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $161,343. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Human Resources Manager (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Massachusetts

$161,343

RPP 109.4

2. New York

$159,330

RPP 107.6

3. Virginia

$158,364

RPP 102.1

4. Rhode Island

$157,956

RPP 104.7

5. Minnesota

$155,834

RPP 97.7

6. Washington

$154,289

RPP 109.8

7. New Jersey

$152,637

RPP 108.8

8. Colorado

$151,026

RPP 102.3

9. California

$150,346

RPP 112.5

10. Delaware

$148,602

RPP 98.0

Massachusetts ranks #1 out of 50 states for Human Resources Manager after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Human Resources Manager in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Human Resources Manager in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $176,510 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $161,343 — 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 Human Resources Manager in Massachusetts: $176,510 x (100 / 109.4) = $161,343. 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 Human Resources Manager's nominal salary of $176,510 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $161,343. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.