What does a Hydrologists salary really buy you in Missouri?
Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Hydrologists earning $109,970 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $120,713 in an average-cost US state.
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) | $65,960 | $72,403 | +$6,443 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $97,140 | $106,630 | +$9,490 |
| Median (P50) | $109,970 | $120,713 | +$10,743 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $110,300 | $121,075 | +$10,775 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $129,520 | $142,173 | +$12,653 |
A Hydrologists in Missouri earns $109,970 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $120,713 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Hydrologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Missouri ranks #3 out of 34 states for Hydrologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Hydrologists in Missouri earns a median salary of $109,970 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $120,713 — a +9.8% difference.
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).
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 Hydrologists in Missouri: $109,970 x (100 / 91.1) = $120,713. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Hydrologists 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.