Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Power Plant Operators salary really buy you in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is 9.4% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Massachusetts's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.4, meaning prices are 9.4% higher the national average. A Power Plant Operators earning $100,140 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $91,535 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) | $68,150 | $62,294 | $-5,855 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $79,690 | $72,842 | $-6,847 |
| Median (P50) | $100,140 | $91,535 | $-8,604 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $121,580 | $111,133 | $-10,446 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $130,850 | $119,606 | $-11,243 |
While $100,140 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $91,535. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Massachusetts's RPP of 109.4 puts it 9.4% above the national baseline cost of living. A Power Plant Operators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $100,140 median salary translates to $91,536 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Power Plant Operators.
Massachusetts ranks #40 of 49 — bottom quartile for Power Plant Operators real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Power Plant Operators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #40 out of 49 states for Power Plant Operators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Power Plant Operators take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Power Plant Operators in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $100,140 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $91,535 — 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 Power Plant Operators in Massachusetts: $100,140 x (100 / 109.4) = $91,535. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Power Plant Operators's nominal salary of $100,140 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $91,535. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.