Medical Assistant Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Medical Assistant 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

$48,540

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$44,369

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 Medical Assistant earning $48,540 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,369 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)	$40,190	$36,736	$-3,453
25th Percentile (P25)	$45,610	$41,691	$-3,918
Median (P50)	$48,540	$44,369	$-4,170
75th Percentile (P75)	$55,320	$50,566	$-4,753
90th Percentile (P90)	$60,850	$55,621	$-5,228

Key Insight

While $48,540 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $44,369. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Medical Assistant (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Wisconsin

$51,581

RPP 92.3

2. Nebraska

$51,314

RPP 89.8

3. Alaska

$50,843

RPP 102.0

4. Minnesota

$50,542

RPP 97.7

5. Montana

$50,321

RPP 90.3

6. Washington

$50,200

RPP 109.8

7. Iowa

$49,400

RPP 88.4

8. Idaho

$47,276

RPP 91.8

9. Oregon

$46,810

RPP 106.6

10. North Dakota

$46,268

RPP 88.7

Massachusetts ranks #23 out of 50 states for Medical Assistant after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Medical Assistant in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $48,540 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $44,369 — 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 Medical Assistant in Massachusetts: $48,540 x (100 / 109.4) = $44,369. 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 Medical Assistant's nominal salary of $48,540 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $44,369. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.