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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Pennsylvania is 3.8% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$58,270
Median annual (2025)
+4.0%
Real Purchasing Power
$60,571
COL-adjusted (RPP=96.2)

Pennsylvania Cost of Living Index

Pennsylvania's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 96.2, meaning prices are 3.8% lower the national average. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians earning $58,270 in Pennsylvania has the equivalent purchasing power of $60,571 in an average-cost US state.

PA: 96.2
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 Pennsylvania's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $39,580 $41,143 +$1,563
25th Percentile (P25) $46,350 $48,180 +$1,830
Median (P50) $58,270 $60,571 +$2,301
75th Percentile (P75) $70,260 $73,035 +$2,775
90th Percentile (P90) $79,660 $82,806 +$3,146
Key Insight

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Pennsylvania earns $58,270 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 4% further — like earning $60,571 in an average-cost state. This makes Pennsylvania one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Pennsylvania Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 96.2

With an RPP of 96.2, Pennsylvania is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Surveying and Mapping Technicians is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+4.0%

After applying Pennsylvania's RPP, the $58,270 median salary translates to $60,572 in real terms — a 4.0% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#14 / 50

Pennsylvania sits at #14 of 50 states for Surveying and Mapping Technicians COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

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

Pennsylvania ranks #14 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 Pennsylvania after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $58,270 per year. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (RPP=96.2), the real purchasing power is $60,571 — a +4.0% difference.

Is Pennsylvania expensive to live in?

Pennsylvania's cost of living is 3.8% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Pennsylvania is 96.2 (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 Pennsylvania: $58,270 x (100 / 96.2) = $60,571. 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 Pennsylvania financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Pennsylvania enjoys 4.0% 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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