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Foundry Mold and Coremakers Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Foundry Mold and Coremakers salary really buy you in Arkansas?

Arkansas is 13.4% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$42,200
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$48,729
COL-adjusted (RPP=86.6)

Arkansas Cost of Living Index

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 86.6, meaning prices are 13.4% lower the national average. A Foundry Mold and Coremakers earning $42,200 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $48,729 in an average-cost US state.

AR: 86.6
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 Arkansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $37,230 $42,990 +$5,760
25th Percentile (P25) $39,120 $45,173 +$6,053
Median (P50) $42,200 $48,729 +$6,529
75th Percentile (P75) $45,090 $52,066 +$6,976
90th Percentile (P90) $63,060 $72,817 +$9,757
Key Insight

A Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas earns $42,200 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $48,729 in an average-cost state. This makes Arkansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Arkansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 86.6

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 86.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 13.4% less than the national average. For a Foundry Mold and Coremakers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $42,200 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $48,730 — a 15.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#18 / 33

Arkansas's rank of #18 of 33 states means real purchasing power for Foundry Mold and Coremakers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Foundry Mold and Coremakers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Foundry Mold and Coremakers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$67,486
RPP 91.1
2. Oregon
$62,908
RPP 106.6
$58,178
RPP 97.7
4. Alabama
$58,132
RPP 87.8
$56,377
RPP 101.3
6. Iowa
$55,497
RPP 88.4
7. Indiana
$54,313
RPP 91.8
8. Ohio
$53,595
RPP 91.5
9. Kansas
$53,233
RPP 90.0
$51,133
RPP 109.4

Arkansas ranks #18 out of 33 states for Foundry Mold and Coremakers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Foundry Mold and Coremakers take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas earns a median salary of $42,200 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $48,729 — a +15.5% difference.

Is Arkansas expensive to live in?

Arkansas's cost of living is 13.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arkansas is 86.6 (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 Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas: $42,200 x (100 / 86.6) = $48,729. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Foundry Mold and Coremakers in Arkansas enjoys 15.5% 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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