Salary & Cost of Living in Lawrence, IN
Lawrence, IN: $46,661 median salary, cost of living index 79.9, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$46,661
$22/hr
Cost of Living
79.9
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Lawrence, IN Overview
Population
49,156
Median Salary
$46,661
Average Salary
$52,260
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$201,000
Median Rent
$829/mo
Job Growth
+1.4%
Sales Tax
7%
Lawrence is located in Indiana with a population of 49,156. The median household salary is $46,661 per year ($22/hour), which is $12,723 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.4%.
Lawrence Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Lawrence, IN based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $46,661 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 | $28,930 | $13.91/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $46,661 | $22.43/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $66,259 | $31.85/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $83,057 | $39.93/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.
Lawrence Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Lawrence, IN, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$37,534
$3,127.79/month · $1,443.60/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.6%
Gross Pay
$46,661
Federal Tax
-$3,561
State Tax
-$1,423
Local Tax
-$574
FICA
-$3,570
Net Pay
$37,534
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,888.42 | $46,661.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$296.73 | -$3,560.82 |
| Indiana State Tax (3.05%) | -$118.60 | -$1,423.16 |
| Local Tax (1.23%) | -$47.83 | -$573.93 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$241.08 | -$2,892.98 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$56.38 | -$676.58 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,127.79 | $37,533.52 |
Salary Comparison: Lawrence vs Other Cities
See how Lawrence's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, IN | $46,661 | 79.9 | $58,399 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Edgewater, FL | $46,626 | 96.8 | $48,167 |
| Merrillville, IN | $46,723 | 81.7 | $57,188 |
| Portage, IN | $46,726 | 78.6 | $59,448 |
| Holly Springs, NC | $46,738 | 87.5 | $53,415 |
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 Lawrence
Lawrence's cost of living index is 79.9 (national average = 100). Living in Lawrence is 20.099999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$201,000
Median Monthly Rent
$829
Annual Rent Cost
$9,948
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $37,534 annual take-home pay in Lawrence has the purchasing power of approximately $46,976 in an average-cost US area. Your $46,661 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Lawrence
Lawrence's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $46,661.
Salary Tips for Lawrence Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Lawrence has a cost of living 20.099999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $46,661 here has the purchasing power of about $58,399 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Lawrence's top industries include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $46,661 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 Lawrence salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Lawrence-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 Lawrence indexed at 79.9.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Lawrence's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $46,661 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Indiana state income tax (3.05%), plus Lawrence local tax of 1.23%, sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Lawrence: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Indiana.
- Housing context: median home price $201,000, median rent $829/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Lawrence, IN:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Lawrence unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Lawrence 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. Lawrence'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 Lawrence, IN?
The median salary in Lawrence, IN is $46,661 per year, or $22 per hour. The average salary is $52,260. This is $12,723 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Lawrence, IN?
Lawrence's cost of living index is 79.9 (national average = 100), meaning it is 20.099999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $201,000 and the median monthly rent is $829.
What are the best industries in Lawrence?
The top industries in Lawrence, IN include Manufacturing, Logistics, Life Sciences. The city has a job growth rate of 1.4% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $46,661.
How does Lawrence's salary compare to other cities?
Lawrence's median salary of $46,661 is 21.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 79.9), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,399.
What is the minimum wage in Lawrence, IN?
The minimum wage in Lawrence, 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.