What does a Hydrologists 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 Hydrologists earning $116,750 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $106,718 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) | $103,990 | $95,054 | $-8,935 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $109,490 | $100,082 | $-9,407 |
| Median (P50) | $116,750 | $106,718 | $-10,031 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $151,860 | $138,811 | $-13,048 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $154,350 | $141,087 | $-13,262 |
While $116,750 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $106,718. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Hydrologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #8 out of 34 states for Hydrologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Hydrologists in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $116,750 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $106,718 — 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 Hydrologists in Massachusetts: $116,750 x (100 / 109.4) = $106,718. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Hydrologists's nominal salary of $116,750 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $106,718. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.