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What does a Social Science Research Assistants 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 Social Science Research Assistants earning $63,480 in Massachusetts has the equivalent purchasing power of $58,025 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) | $49,500 | $45,246 | $-4,253 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $49,980 | $45,685 | $-4,294 |
| Median (P50) | $63,480 | $58,025 | $-5,454 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $71,700 | $65,539 | $-6,160 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $82,130 | $75,073 | $-7,056 |
While $63,480 sounds high, Massachusetts's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $58,025. 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 Social Science Research Assistants needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Massachusetts's RPP, the $63,480 median salary translates to $58,026 in real terms — a 8.6% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Social Science Research Assistants.
Massachusetts sits at #21 of 45 states for Social Science Research Assistants COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Social Science Research Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Massachusetts ranks #21 out of 45 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Social Science Research Assistants take-home pay in Massachusetts after taxes →
A Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts earns a median salary of $63,480 per year. After adjusting for Massachusetts's cost of living (RPP=109.4), the real purchasing power is $58,025 — 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 Social Science Research Assistants in Massachusetts: $63,480 x (100 / 109.4) = $58,025. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Social Science Research Assistants's nominal salary of $63,480 in Massachusetts has 8.6% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $58,025. However, Massachusetts may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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