Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic Salary in Indiana: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary really buy you in Indiana?

Indiana is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$54,740
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$59,629
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Indiana Cost of Living Index

Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic earning $54,740 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,629 in an average-cost US state.

IN: 91.8
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 Indiana's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $35,560 $38,736 +$3,176
25th Percentile (P25) $49,370 $53,779 +$4,409
Median (P50) $54,740 $59,629 +$4,889
75th Percentile (P75) $71,310 $77,679 +$6,369
90th Percentile (P90) $75,830 $82,603 +$6,773
Key Insight

A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana earns $54,740 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $59,629 in an average-cost state. This makes Indiana one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Indiana Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Indiana's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Indiana's RPP, the $54,740 median salary translates to $59,630 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#5 / 12

Indiana sits at #5 of 12 states for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic (After Cost of Living)

Where does Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Ohio
$106,765
RPP 91.5
$76,663
RPP 97.7
3. Iowa
$71,742
RPP 88.4
4. Alabama
$70,945
RPP 87.8
5. Indiana
$59,629
RPP 91.8
$59,606
RPP 109.4
$57,580
RPP 93.4
$56,500
RPP 92.3
$56,288
RPP 96.2
$54,462
RPP 109.8

Indiana ranks #5 out of 12 states for Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in Indiana after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana after cost of living?

A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana earns a median salary of $54,740 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $59,629 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Indiana expensive to live in?

Indiana's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Indiana is 91.8 (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 Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana: $54,740 x (100 / 91.8) = $59,629. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic in Indiana enjoys 8.9% 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.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy