Nursing Assistants Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Nursing Assistants 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

$45,410

Median annual (2024)

→ -8.6%

Real Purchasing Power

$41,508

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 Nursing Assistants earning $45,410 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $41,508 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)	$38,380	$35,082	$-3,297
25th Percentile (P25)	$40,220	$36,764	$-3,455
Median (P50)	$45,410	$41,508	$-3,901
75th Percentile (P75)	$48,370	$44,213	$-4,156
90th Percentile (P90)	$56,340	$51,499	$-4,840

Key Insight

While $45,410 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $41,508. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

Best States for Nursing Assistants (After Cost of Living)

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

1. North Dakota

$49,819

RPP 88.7

2. Wisconsin

$46,858

RPP 92.3

3. Nevada

$46,742

RPP 96.4

4. Minnesota

$46,653

RPP 97.7

5. Oregon

$45,393

RPP 106.6

6. Maine

$45,277

RPP 100.8

7. Alaska

$44,941

RPP 102.0

8. Illinois

$44,175

RPP 101.3

9. New York

$44,042

RPP 107.6

10. Washington

$43,952

RPP 109.8

Massachusetts ranks #26 out of 50 states for Nursing Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $45,410 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $41,508 — 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 Nursing Assistants in Massachusetts: $45,410 x (100 / 109.4) = $41,508. 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 Nursing Assistants's nominal salary of $45,410 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $41,508. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.