Career Explorer
Find where your career pays the most. Compare cost-adjusted wages for 20 occupations across 75+ US metro areas.
Methodology
Wage data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program, May 2023 release. Each occupation includes median annual wages for 75+ metropolitan statistical areas. Cost-adjusted wages are computed by dividing the raw median wage by the metro area's Regional Price Parity (BEA, 2023), where 100 represents the national average cost of living. This adjustment reveals where a salary stretches furthest after accounting for local prices. Employment figures represent total estimated jobs in each metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What data sources are used?
All wage and employment data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) survey, May 2023 release. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities.
What is cost-adjusted wage?
Cost-adjusted wage is the median wage divided by the metro area's cost of living index (where 100 = national average). It shows how far the salary actually goes in that metro area, accounting for local prices.
How many occupations are covered?
We cover 20 high-demand occupations spanning healthcare, technology, education, skilled trades, and professional services — chosen for broad geographic availability and strong labor market relevance.