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Surgical Technologists Salary in Indiana: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Surgical Technologists 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
$64,240
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$69,978
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 Surgical Technologists earning $64,240 in Indiana has the equivalent purchasing power of $69,978 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) $51,350 $55,936 +$4,586
25th Percentile (P25) $60,240 $65,620 +$5,380
Median (P50) $64,240 $69,978 +$5,738
75th Percentile (P75) $77,210 $84,106 +$6,896
90th Percentile (P90) $80,600 $87,799 +$7,199
Key Insight

A Surgical Technologists in Indiana earns $64,240 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $69,978 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 Surgical Technologists, 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 $64,240 median salary translates to $69,978 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surgical Technologists.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#18 / 51

Indiana sits at #18 of 51 states for Surgical Technologists COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Surgical Technologists (After Cost of Living)

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

$82,098
RPP 97.7
$80,303
RPP 92.3
3. Idaho
$79,030
RPP 91.8
4. Alaska
$78,803
RPP 102.0
5. Nevada
$78,298
RPP 96.4
6. Oregon
$76,350
RPP 106.6
$75,084
RPP 106.4
8. Hawaii
$74,584
RPP 110.8
$74,037
RPP 102.3
10. New York
$73,931
RPP 107.6

Indiana ranks #18 out of 51 states for Surgical Technologists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Surgical Technologists take-home pay in Indiana after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Surgical Technologists in Indiana after cost of living?

A Surgical Technologists in Indiana earns a median salary of $64,240 per year. After adjusting for Indiana's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $69,978 — 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 Surgical Technologists in Indiana: $64,240 x (100 / 91.8) = $69,978. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Surgical Technologists in Indiana financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Surgical Technologists 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.

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