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Lighting Technicians Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Lighting Technicians salary really buy you in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$60,110
Median annual (2025)
-8.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$54,945
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 Lighting Technicians earning $60,110 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,945 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) $52,890 $48,345 $-4,544
25th Percentile (P25) $57,160 $52,248 $-4,911
Median (P50) $60,110 $54,945 $-5,164
75th Percentile (P75) $65,050 $59,460 $-5,589
90th Percentile (P90) $82,680 $75,575 $-7,104
Key Insight

While $60,110 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $54,945. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Massachusetts Is a High-Cost State

RPP 109.4

Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Lighting Technicians needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-8.6%

After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $60,110 median salary translates to $54,945 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Lighting Technicians.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#18 / 27

Massachusetts's rank of #18 of 27 states means real purchasing power for Lighting Technicians trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Lighting Technicians (After Cost of Living)

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

$114,845
RPP 109.8
$83,617
RPP 112.5
$80,468
RPP 108.8
$75,574
RPP 88.8
$73,774
RPP 90.6
6. Georgia
$73,225
RPP 95.8
$72,490
RPP 107.6
$68,092
RPP 106.4
$66,307
RPP 91.8
10. Michigan
$64,464
RPP 93.4

Massachusetts ranks #18 out of 27 states for Lighting Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Lighting Technicians take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Lighting Technicians in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $60,110 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $54,945 — 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 Lighting Technicians in Massachusetts: $60,110 x (100 / 109.4) = $54,945. 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 Lighting Technicians's nominal salary of $60,110 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $54,945. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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