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Environmental Engineers Salary in Indiana: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Environmental Engineers salary really buy you in Indiana?

Indiana is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$92,460
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$100,718
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Indiana Cost of Living Index

Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Environmental Engineers earning $92,460 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $100,718 in an average-cost US state.

IN: 91.8
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 Indiana's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $65,120 $70,936 +$5,816
25th Percentile (P25) $77,190 $84,084 +$6,894
Median (P50) $92,460 $100,718 +$8,258
75th Percentile (P75) $118,140 $128,692 +$10,552
90th Percentile (P90) $142,780 $155,533 +$12,753
Key Insight

A Environmental Engineers in Indiana earns $92,460 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $100,718 in an average-cost state. This makes Indiana one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Indiana Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Environmental Engineers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Indiana's RPP, the $92,460 median salary translates to $100,719 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Environmental Engineers.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#37 / 50

Indiana's rank of #37 of 50 states means real purchasing power for Environmental Engineers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Environmental Engineers (After Cost of Living)

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

$144,050
RPP 90.6
$134,320
RPP 89.8
3. Idaho
$128,017
RPP 91.8
4. Texas
$126,215
RPP 97.5
5. Ohio
$123,693
RPP 91.5
$120,268
RPP 89.4
7. Oregon
$119,230
RPP 106.6
$119,076
RPP 91.0
$118,474
RPP 97.7
10. Alabama
$116,913
RPP 87.8

Indiana ranks #37 out of 50 states for Environmental Engineers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Environmental Engineers take-home pay in Indiana after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Environmental Engineers in Indiana after cost of living?

A Environmental Engineers in Indiana earns a median salary of $92,460 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $100,718 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Indiana expensive to live in?

Indiana's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Indiana is 91.8 (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 Environmental Engineers in Indiana: $92,460 x (100 / 91.8) = $100,718. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Environmental Engineers in Indiana financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Environmental Engineers in Indiana enjoys 8.9% 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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