What does a Microbiologists 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 Microbiologists earning $68,630 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $75,334 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) | $49,810 | $54,676 | +$4,866 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $51,630 | $56,673 | +$5,043 |
| Median (P50) | $68,630 | $75,334 | +$6,704 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $93,330 | $102,447 | +$9,117 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $123,530 | $135,598 | +$12,068 |
A Microbiologists in Missouri earns $68,630 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $75,334 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Microbiologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Missouri ranks #25 out of 42 states for Microbiologists after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Microbiologists in Missouri earns a median salary of $68,630 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $75,334 — 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 Microbiologists in Missouri: $68,630 x (100 / 91.1) = $75,334. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Microbiologists 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.