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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

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

Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$60,320
Median annual (2025)
-4.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$57,612
COL-adjusted (RPP=104.7)

Rhode Island Cost of Living Index

Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians earning $60,320 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,612 in an average-cost US state.

RI: 104.7
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 Rhode Island's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $46,160 $44,087 $-2,072
25th Percentile (P25) $52,200 $49,856 $-2,343
Median (P50) $60,320 $57,612 $-2,707
75th Percentile (P75) $84,240 $80,458 $-3,781
90th Percentile (P90) $92,980 $88,806 $-4,173
Key Insight

While $60,320 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $57,612. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Rhode Island Is a High-Cost State

RPP 104.7

Rhode Island's RPP of 104.7 puts it 4.7% above the national baseline cost of living. A Surveying and Mapping Technicians needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-4.5%

After applying Rhode Island's RPP, the $60,320 median salary translates to $57,612 in real terms — a 4.5% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Surveying and Mapping Technicians.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#17 / 50

Rhode Island sits at #17 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

Rhode Island ranks #17 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 Rhode Island after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Surveying and Mapping Technicians in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $60,320 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $57,612 — a -4.5% difference.

Is Rhode Island expensive to live in?

Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (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 Rhode Island: $60,320 x (100 / 104.7) = $57,612. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Rhode Island offset the salary?

Partially — a Surveying and Mapping Technicians's nominal salary of $60,320 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $57,612. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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