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Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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
$49,820
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$54,687
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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earning $49,820 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,687 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) $31,770 $34,873 +$3,103
25th Percentile (P25) $35,990 $39,506 +$3,516
Median (P50) $49,820 $54,687 +$4,867
75th Percentile (P75) $59,820 $65,664 +$5,844
90th Percentile (P90) $71,080 $78,024 +$6,944
Key Insight

A Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Missouri earns $49,820 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $54,687 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators, 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 $49,820 median salary translates to $54,687 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#14 / 30

Missouri sits at #14 of 30 states for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (After Cost of Living)

Where does Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Oregon
$92,439
RPP 106.6
2. Nevada
$84,678
RPP 96.4
$73,299
RPP 107.6
$69,329
RPP 91.0
5. Georgia
$67,860
RPP 95.8
$66,926
RPP 106.4
$65,965
RPP 109.8
$63,183
RPP 97.7
$63,028
RPP 105.0
10. Utah
$60,603
RPP 94.5

Missouri ranks #14 out of 30 states for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Missouri after cost of living?

A Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Missouri earns a median salary of $49,820 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $54,687 — 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 Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Missouri: $49,820 x (100 / 91.1) = $54,687. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators 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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