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Lighting Technicians Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Lighting Technicians 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
$41,900
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$45,993
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 Lighting Technicians earning $41,900 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $45,993 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) $31,200 $34,248 +$3,048
25th Percentile (P25) $35,040 $38,463 +$3,423
Median (P50) $41,900 $45,993 +$4,093
75th Percentile (P75) $64,820 $71,152 +$6,332
90th Percentile (P90) $120,690 $132,480 +$11,790
Key Insight

A Lighting Technicians in Missouri earns $41,900 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $45,993 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 Lighting Technicians, 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 $41,900 median salary translates to $45,993 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Lighting Technicians.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#27 / 27

Missouri ranks #27 of 27 — bottom quartile for Lighting Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Lighting Technicians (After Cost of Living)

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

$114,845
RPP 109.8
$83,617
RPP 112.5
$80,468
RPP 108.8
$75,574
RPP 88.8
$73,774
RPP 90.6
6. Georgia
$73,225
RPP 95.8
$72,490
RPP 107.6
$68,092
RPP 106.4
$66,307
RPP 91.8
10. Michigan
$64,464
RPP 93.4

Missouri ranks #27 out of 27 states for Lighting Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Lighting Technicians in Missouri after cost of living?

A Lighting Technicians in Missouri earns a median salary of $41,900 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $45,993 — 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 Lighting Technicians in Missouri: $41,900 x (100 / 91.1) = $45,993. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Lighting Technicians in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Lighting Technicians 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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