Salary & Cost of Living in Gary, IN
Gary, IN: $50,954 median salary, cost of living index 87.4, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,954
$25/hr
Cost of Living
87.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Gary, IN Overview
Population
69,093
Median Salary
$50,954
Average Salary
$57,068
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$231,000
Median Rent
$959/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
7%
Gary is located in Indiana with a population of 69,093. The median household salary is $50,954 per year ($25/hour), which is $8,430 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Gary Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Gary, IN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,954 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 | $31,591 | $15.19/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,954 | $24.50/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $72,355 | $34.79/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $90,698 | $43.61/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.
Gary Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Gary, IN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$40,738
$3,394.84/month · $1,566.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.0%
Gross Pay
$50,954
Federal Tax
-$4,076
State Tax
-$1,554
Local Tax
-$688
FICA
-$3,898
Net Pay
$40,738
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,246.17 | $50,954.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$339.67 | -$4,075.98 |
| Indiana State Tax (3.05%) | -$129.51 | -$1,554.10 |
| Local Tax (1.35%) | -$57.32 | -$687.88 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$263.26 | -$3,159.15 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$61.57 | -$738.83 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,394.84 | $40,738.06 |
Salary Comparison: Gary vs Other Cities
See how Gary's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary, IN | $50,954 | 87.4 | $58,300 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Chapel Hill, NC | $50,941 | 97.2 | $52,408 |
| Holland, MI | $50,974 | 82.2 | $62,012 |
| Rock Island, IL | $50,981 | 93.6 | $54,467 |
| Romeoville, IL | $50,986 | 89.1 | $57,223 |
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 Gary
Gary's cost of living index is 87.4 (national average = 100). Living in Gary is 12.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$231,000
Median Monthly Rent
$959
Annual Rent Cost
$11,508
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $40,738 annual take-home pay in Gary has the purchasing power of approximately $46,611 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,954 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Gary
Gary's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,954.
Salary Tips for Gary Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Gary has a cost of living 12.599999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $50,954 here has the purchasing power of about $58,300 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Gary's top industries include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,954 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 Gary salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Gary-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 Gary indexed at 87.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Gary's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,954 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Indiana state income tax (3.05%), plus Gary local tax of 1.35%, sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Gary: 3.8%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Indiana.
- Housing context: median home price $231,000, median rent $959/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Gary, IN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Gary unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gary 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. Gary'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 Gary, IN?
The median salary in Gary, IN is $50,954 per year, or $25 per hour. The average salary is $57,068. This is $8,430 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Gary, IN?
Gary's cost of living index is 87.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $231,000 and the median monthly rent is $959.
What are the best industries in Gary?
The top industries in Gary, IN include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.8%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,954.
How does Gary's salary compare to other cities?
Gary's median salary of $50,954 is 14.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,300.
What is the minimum wage in Gary, IN?
The minimum wage in Gary, 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.