Lawyer Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Lawyer 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

$179,050

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$163,665

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 Lawyer earning $179,050 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $163,665 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

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

Key Insight

While $179,050 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $163,665. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Lawyer (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Delaware

$176,234

RPP 98.0

2. California

$175,813

RPP 112.5

3. New York

$164,693

RPP 107.6

4. Colorado

$164,193

RPP 102.3

5. Massachusetts

$163,665

RPP 109.4

6. Illinois

$155,301

RPP 101.3

7. Virginia

$154,730

RPP 102.1

8. Connecticut

$149,661

RPP 106.4

9. New Jersey

$145,652

RPP 108.8

10. Alabama

$145,398

RPP 87.8

Massachusetts ranks #5 out of 49 states for Lawyer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Lawyer in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Lawyer in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $179,050 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $163,665 — 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 Lawyer in Massachusetts: $179,050 x (100 / 109.4) = $163,665. 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 Lawyer's nominal salary of $179,050 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $163,665. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.