๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 90 โ€” Very Affordable

Salaries in Evansville, IN

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$66,989
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$74,598
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$152,796
1BR Rent
$850
median monthly

Evansville isnโ€™t where you chase the highest raw salaryโ€”itโ€™s where your money actually lasts. In 2026, the median household income here is $52,318, but with a cost of living index of 89.8, that paycheck stretches far further than youโ€™d expect in a city of 113,000 people.

Letโ€™s talk real purchasing power. A 1-bedroom apartment runs about $850 a month, and the unemployment rate is a tight 3.4%. That means jobs are stable, and your rent isnโ€™t eating your whole budget. The average salary across all roles is $66,989, but when you adjust for Evansvilleโ€™s lower costs, that feels more like $74,598. Itโ€™s not a fortune, but itโ€™s solidโ€”especially if youโ€™re coming from a pricier metro.

The money flows from healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. Youโ€™ll find major employers like Deaconess Health System and Berry Global, and while tech isnโ€™t exploding, software developers still earn a healthy $123,365 (or $137,378 adjusted). The surprise? Marketing managers here pull down $152,796โ€”nearly double the median household income. Thatโ€™s not a fluke; itโ€™s companies needing local savvy to reach the Midwest.

Hereโ€™s the honest catch: wages arenโ€™t racing ahead. That median income is up only slightly from pre-2026, and while costs are low, theyโ€™re creeping up. If youโ€™re in marketing, pharmacy, or project management, Evansville can feel like a smart financial move. If youโ€™re in a lower-wage service role, the math gets tighter.

Below, youโ€™ll see the top-paying jobs, the real take-home after cost adjustments, and why this city might be a hidden gemโ€”or a ceiling for your earning potential.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Evansville

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$152,796
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $170,151
โฑ Hourly $73.46/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 226
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$131,867
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $146,845
โฑ Hourly $63.40/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 226
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,365
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $137,378
โฑ Hourly $59.31/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 679
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$104,898
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $116,813
โฑ Hourly $50.43/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 226
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,180
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $109,332
โฑ Hourly $47.20/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 226

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Evansville

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (90/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $152,796
2 Pharmacist $131,867
3 Software Developer $123,365
4 Construction Manager $104,898
5 Project Manager $98,180
6 Physical Therapist $96,658
7 Financial Analyst $95,980
8 Web Developer $89,911
9 Dental Hygienist $84,851
10 Accountant $83,445
11 Registered Nurse $83,436
12 Data Analyst $80,809
13 Police Officer $72,617
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,579
15 Elementary School Teacher $61,721
16 Plumber $61,411
17 Paralegal $60,829
18 Electrician $59,666
19 Real Estate Agent $59,598
20 Graphic Designer $59,462
21 Firefighter $55,372
22 Carpenter $55,178
23 HVAC Technician $53,966
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,465
25 Pharmacy Technician $48,470
26 Insurance Agent $48,470
27 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,470
28 Dental Assistant $48,470
29 Social Worker $48,470
30 Auto Mechanic $48,470
31 Veterinary Technician $48,470
32 Loan Officer $48,470
33 Nail Technician $48,470
34 Cosmetologist $48,470
35 Personal Trainer $48,470
36 Chef/Head Cook $48,470
37 Welder $48,072
38 Medical Assistant $37,098
39 Security Guard $35,034
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,665

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Evansville

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$850/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,070/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$150,750
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$52,318
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
24%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
90
Very Affordable

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Evansville?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Evansville. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Evansville Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Evansville, IN?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Evansville is $66,989. This figure is 28% higher than the city's median household income of $52,318, indicating a significant gap between average earnings and typical household income.

What jobs pay the most in Evansville?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Evansville is Marketing Manager, with an average salary of $152,796. This position earns more than double the city's overall average salary of $66,989, highlighting the premium for specialized management roles.

Is Evansville affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, Evansville is highly affordable on a Marketing Manager salary of $152,796. With a cost of living index of 89.8 (10.2% below the national average) and 1BR rent at $850/month, housing costs would consume only about 7% of the monthly pre-tax income.

How does Evansville's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Evansville's cost of living index of 89.8 means your paycheck has 10.2% more purchasing power than the national average. For example, a $66,989 salary here feels equivalent to about $73,800 in a city with a 100 index, directly increasing your disposable income.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Evansville?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary in Evansville is around $52,318, matching the median household income. This covers the 1BR rent of $850/month (about 20% of gross income) and other expenses, given the favorable cost of living index of 89.8.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Evansville Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Evansville isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s a quiet win if you play it right. With a cost-of-living index of 89.8 and rent around $850, your paycheck stretches further than in most cities. The average salary of $66,989 wonโ€™t make you rich, but the Marketing Manager roleโ€”adjusting to $170,151โ€”shows thereโ€™s real upside in leadership and specialized skills. Financially, itโ€™s worth it if youโ€™re in tech, healthcare, or trades, where demand is steady and competition isnโ€™t brutal. If youโ€™re considering the move, my advice: lock in a job before you arrive. The market rewards those who come prepared, not those who wing it.

Explore Evansville Further