Salary & Cost of Living in Bloomington, IN
Bloomington, IN: $32,390 median salary, cost of living index 90.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$32,390
$16/hr
Cost of Living
90.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.6%
rate
Bloomington, IN Overview
Population
79,168
Median Salary
$32,390
Average Salary
$36,277
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Rent
$940/mo
Job Growth
+2.6%
Sales Tax
7%
Bloomington is located in Indiana with a population of 79,168. The median household salary is $32,390 per year ($16/hour), which is $26,994 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.6%.
Bloomington Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Bloomington, IN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $32,390 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $20,082 | $9.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $32,390 | $15.57/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $45,994 | $22.11/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $57,654 | $27.71/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Bloomington Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Bloomington, IN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$26,882
$2,240.14/month · $1,033.91/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.0%
Gross Pay
$32,390
Federal Tax
-$1,848
State Tax
-$988
Local Tax
-$194
FICA
-$2,478
Net Pay
$26,882
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,699.17 | $32,390.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$154.03 | -$1,848.30 |
| Indiana State Tax (3.05%) | -$82.32 | -$987.90 |
| Local Tax (0.6%) | -$16.20 | -$194.34 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$167.35 | -$2,008.18 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$39.14 | -$469.66 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,240.14 | $26,881.63 |
Salary Comparison: Bloomington vs Other Cities
See how Bloomington's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | $32,390 | 90.5 | $35,790 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Mission, TX | $32,397 | 78.5 | $41,270 |
| Decatur, IL | $32,380 | 80.5 | $40,224 |
| Jackson, TN | $32,377 | 82.5 | $39,245 |
| Greenville, NC | $32,405 | 87.5 | $37,034 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Bloomington
Bloomington's cost of living index is 90.5 (national average = 100). Living in Bloomington is 9.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$225,000
Median Monthly Rent
$940
Annual Rent Cost
$11,280
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $26,882 annual take-home pay in Bloomington has the purchasing power of approximately $29,703 in an average-cost US area. Your $32,390 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Bloomington
Bloomington's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $32,390.
Salary Tips for Bloomington Workers
- Research top industries. Bloomington's top industries include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $32,390 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Bloomington salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Bloomington-IN metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Bloomington indexed at 90.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Bloomington's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $32,390 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Indiana state income tax (3.05%), plus Bloomington local tax of 0.6%, sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Bloomington: 2.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Indiana.
- Housing context: median home price $225,000, median rent $940/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Bloomington, IN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Bloomington unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Bloomington QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Indiana — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Bloomington's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Indiana labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Bloomington, IN?
The median salary in Bloomington, IN is $32,390 per year, or $16 per hour. The average salary is $36,277. This is $26,994 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Bloomington, IN?
Bloomington's cost of living index is 90.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 9.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $225,000 and the median monthly rent is $940.
What are the best industries in Bloomington?
The top industries in Bloomington, IN include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. The city has a job growth rate of 2.6% and an unemployment rate of 2.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $32,390.
How does Bloomington's salary compare to other cities?
Bloomington's median salary of $32,390 is 45.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $35,790.
What is the minimum wage in Bloomington, IN?
The minimum wage in Bloomington, IN is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.