Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Physical Therapist Aides Salary in Massachusetts: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Physical Therapist Aides 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
$37,440
Median annual (2025)
-8.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$34,223
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 Physical Therapist Aides earning $37,440 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $34,223 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) $35,070 $32,056 $-3,013
25th Percentile (P25) $36,770 $33,610 $-3,159
Median (P50) $37,440 $34,223 $-3,216
75th Percentile (P75) $41,140 $37,605 $-3,534
90th Percentile (P90) $48,690 $44,506 $-4,183
Key Insight

While $37,440 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $34,223. 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 Physical Therapist Aides 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 $37,440 median salary translates to $34,223 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Physical Therapist Aides.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#23 / 50

Massachusetts sits at #23 of 50 states for Physical Therapist Aides COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Physical Therapist Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physical Therapist Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$54,666
RPP 102.0
$43,326
RPP 97.7
3. Montana
$43,133
RPP 90.3
$42,480
RPP 88.7
$41,026
RPP 102.3
6. Ohio
$40,677
RPP 91.5
$39,891
RPP 92.3
$39,697
RPP 89.4
9. Maine
$39,345
RPP 100.8
$39,058
RPP 89.2

Massachusetts ranks #23 out of 50 states for Physical Therapist Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Physical Therapist Aides take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physical Therapist Aides in Massachusetts after cost of living?

A Physical Therapist Aides in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $37,440 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $34,223 — 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 Physical Therapist Aides in Massachusetts: $37,440 x (100 / 109.4) = $34,223. 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 Physical Therapist Aides's nominal salary of $37,440 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $34,223. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy