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Art Directors Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Art Directors salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$100,940
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$110,801
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Art Directors earning $100,940 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $110,801 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
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 Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $60,590 $66,509 +$5,919
25th Percentile (P25) $79,030 $86,750 +$7,720
Median (P50) $100,940 $110,801 +$9,861
75th Percentile (P75) $126,360 $138,704 +$12,344
90th Percentile (P90) $162,340 $178,199 +$15,859
Key Insight

A Art Directors in Missouri earns $100,940 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $110,801 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Art Directors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $100,940 median salary translates to $110,801 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Art Directors.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#12 / 46

Missouri sits at #12 of 46 states for Art Directors COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Art Directors (After Cost of Living)

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

$136,489
RPP 109.4
2. Vermont
$127,853
RPP 101.1
$127,620
RPP 107.6
4. Oregon
$125,553
RPP 106.6
$122,676
RPP 107.6
$122,471
RPP 112.5
$118,750
RPP 108.8
8. Georgia
$115,271
RPP 95.8
9. Indiana
$115,130
RPP 91.8
10. Utah
$112,698
RPP 94.5

Missouri ranks #12 out of 46 states for Art Directors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Art Directors take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Art Directors in Missouri after cost of living?

A Art Directors in Missouri earns a median salary of $100,940 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $110,801 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (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 Art Directors in Missouri: $100,940 x (100 / 91.1) = $110,801. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Art Directors in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Art Directors in Missouri enjoys 9.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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