Salary & Cost of Living in Marion, IA
Marion, IA: $50,819 median salary, cost of living index 81, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$50,819
$24/hr
Cost of Living
81
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.6%
rate
Marion, IA Overview
Population
41,265
Median Salary
$50,819
Average Salary
$56,917
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Rent
$721/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6%
Marion is located in Iowa with a population of 41,265. The median household salary is $50,819 per year ($24/hour), which is $8,565 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Marion Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Marion, IA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,819 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 | $31,508 | $15.15/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,819 | $24.43/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $72,163 | $34.69/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $90,458 | $43.49/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.
Marion Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Marion, IA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$39,975
$3,331.24/month · $1,537.50/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.3%
Gross Pay
$50,819
Federal Tax
-$4,060
State Tax
-$2,897
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,888
Net Pay
$39,975
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,234.92 | $50,819.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$338.32 | -$4,059.78 |
| Iowa State Tax (5.7%) | -$241.39 | -$2,896.68 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$262.56 | -$3,150.78 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$61.41 | -$736.88 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,331.24 | $39,974.88 |
Salary Comparison: Marion vs Other Cities
See how Marion's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion, IA | $50,819 | 81 | $62,740 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Oregon City, OR | $50,812 | 115.1 | $44,146 |
| Kirkwood, MO | $50,795 | 90 | $56,439 |
| Queen Creek, AZ | $50,778 | 102.3 | $49,636 |
| Oshkosh, WI | $50,865 | 94.8 | $53,655 |
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 Marion
Marion's cost of living index is 81 (national average = 100). Living in Marion is 19% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Monthly Rent
$721
Annual Rent Cost
$8,652
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $39,975 annual take-home pay in Marion has the purchasing power of approximately $49,352 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,819 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Marion
Marion's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,819.
Salary Tips for Marion Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Marion has a cost of living 19% below the national average. A salary of $50,819 here has the purchasing power of about $62,740 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.7% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Marion's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,819 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 Marion salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Marion-IA 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 Marion indexed at 81.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Marion's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,819 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Iowa state income tax (5.7%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Marion: 2.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Iowa.
- Housing context: median home price $175,000, median rent $721/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Marion, IA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Marion unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Marion QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Iowa — 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. Marion's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Iowa 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 Marion, IA?
The median salary in Marion, IA is $50,819 per year, or $24 per hour. The average salary is $56,917. This is $8,565 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Marion, IA?
Marion's cost of living index is 81 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $175,000 and the median monthly rent is $721.
What are the best industries in Marion?
The top industries in Marion, IA include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 2.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,819.
How does Marion's salary compare to other cities?
Marion's median salary of $50,819 is 14.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 81), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,740.
What is the minimum wage in Marion, IA?
The minimum wage in Marion, IA 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.