Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Licensed Practical Nurse 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

$76,560

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$69,981

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 Licensed Practical Nurse earning $76,560 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $69,981 in an average-cost US state.

MA: 109.4

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

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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)	$62,990	$57,577	$-5,412
25th Percentile (P25)	$66,960	$61,206	$-5,753
Median (P50)	$76,560	$69,981	$-6,578
75th Percentile (P75)	$81,010	$74,049	$-6,960
90th Percentile (P90)	$90,230	$82,477	$-7,752

Key Insight

While $76,560 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $69,981. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Licensed Practical Nurse (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Nevada

$76,576

RPP 96.4

2. Alaska

$76,147

RPP 102.0

3. Rhode Island

$74,441

RPP 104.7

4. Arizona

$74,094

RPP 99.9

5. Washington

$72,586

RPP 109.8

6. Oregon

$71,829

RPP 106.6

7. Maine

$70,307

RPP 100.8

8. Massachusetts

$69,981

RPP 109.4

9. New Hampshire

$69,386

RPP 107.6

10. Indiana

$69,379

RPP 91.8

Massachusetts ranks #8 out of 50 states for Licensed Practical Nurse after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Licensed Practical Nurse in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $76,560 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $69,981 — 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 Licensed Practical Nurse in Massachusetts: $76,560 x (100 / 109.4) = $69,981. 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 Licensed Practical Nurse's nominal salary of $76,560 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $69,981. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.