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Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary really buy you in Arkansas?

Arkansas is 13.4% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$46,370
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$53,545
COL-adjusted (RPP=86.6)

Arkansas Cost of Living Index

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 86.6, meaning prices are 13.4% lower the national average. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians earning $46,370 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $53,545 in an average-cost US state.

AR: 86.6
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 Arkansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $36,770 $42,459 +$5,689
25th Percentile (P25) $39,150 $45,207 +$6,057
Median (P50) $46,370 $53,545 +$7,175
75th Percentile (P75) $58,590 $67,655 +$9,065
90th Percentile (P90) $71,040 $82,032 +$10,992
Key Insight

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas earns $46,370 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $53,545 in an average-cost state. This makes Arkansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Arkansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 86.6

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 86.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 13.4% less than the national average. For a Surveying and Mapping Technicians, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $46,370 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $53,545 — a 15.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#38 / 50

Arkansas ranks #38 of 50 — bottom quartile for Surveying and Mapping Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Surveying and Mapping Technicians (After Cost of Living)

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

1. Alaska
$75,460
RPP 102.0
$74,912
RPP 97.7
$69,431
RPP 112.5
$68,624
RPP 88.7
5. Montana
$66,810
RPP 90.3
6. Iowa
$66,685
RPP 88.4
7. Ohio
$65,934
RPP 91.5
$64,008
RPP 92.3
9. Wyoming
$63,351
RPP 91.9
10. Utah
$63,068
RPP 94.5

Arkansas ranks #38 out of 50 states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Surveying and Mapping Technicians take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas earns a median salary of $46,370 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $53,545 — a +15.5% difference.

Is Arkansas expensive to live in?

Arkansas's cost of living is 13.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arkansas is 86.6 (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 Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas: $46,370 x (100 / 86.6) = $53,545. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Arkansas enjoys 15.5% 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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