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Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$36,300
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$39,846
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary earning $36,300 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $39,846 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
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 Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $28,600 $31,394 +$2,794
25th Percentile (P25) $29,070 $31,909 +$2,839
Median (P50) $36,300 $39,846 +$3,546
75th Percentile (P75) $40,110 $44,028 +$3,918
90th Percentile (P90) $47,310 $51,931 +$4,621
Key Insight

A Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri earns $36,300 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $39,846 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $36,300 median salary translates to $39,846 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Missouri

#9 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, Missouri places #9 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Maine
$46,378
RPP 100.8
$44,735
RPP 109.8
3. Vermont
$43,323
RPP 101.1
$43,111
RPP 88.7
$41,324
RPP 112.5
$41,044
RPP 97.7
$40,953
RPP 92.3
$40,240
RPP 116.6
$39,846
RPP 91.1
$39,450
RPP 91.0

Missouri ranks #9 out of 51 states for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri after cost of living?

A Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri earns a median salary of $36,300 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $39,846 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (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 Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri: $36,300 x (100 / 91.1) = $39,846. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in Missouri enjoys 9.8% 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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