What does a Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic 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 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earning $49,530 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $45,274 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) | $36,570 | $33,427 | $-3,142 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $40,430 | $36,956 | $-3,473 |
| Median (P50) | $49,530 | $45,274 | $-4,255 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $54,880 | $50,164 | $-4,715 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $61,210 | $55,950 | $-5,259 |
While $49,530 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $45,274. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #31 out of 46 states for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $49,530 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $45,274 — 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 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic in Massachusetts: $49,530 x (100 / 109.4) = $45,274. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic's nominal salary of $49,530 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $45,274. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.