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COL-adjusted ranking

Best Cities for Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss by Take-Home Pay

The cities that pay Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss the most on paper aren't usually the best deals once rent and prices are factored in. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington ranks first with a COL-adjusted equivalent of $63,491/year, better purchasing power than Chicago-Naperville-Elgin's higher nominal pay of $65,240. The table below uses BLS OEWS May 2024 salary data and BEA Regional Price Parities.

Highest nominal pay

#1 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$65,240
#2 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington$65,110
#3 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$61,100

Best purchasing power

#1 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington$63,491
#2 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$62,979
#3 Columbus$62,292

Top 25 metros by purchasing power

Ranked by COL-adjusted salary. Metros with fewer than 100 employed credit authorizers, checkers, and clerkss excluded.

Rank
Metro
Nominal
COL-adj.
#1
$65,110
$63,491
#2
$65,240
$62,979
#3
Columbus
29% rent burden
$59,470
$62,292
#4
Omaha
30% rent burden
$55,600
$60,494
#5
$61,100
$59,269
#6
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler
38% rent burden
$57,920
$56,059
#7
$52,000
$51,541
#8
$56,480
$50,178
#9
$50,320
$50,169
#10
$54,110
$49,977
#11
$48,510
$49,831
#12
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
34% rent burden
$47,380
$49,437
#13
Salt Lake City-Murray
30% rent burden
$49,800
$49,370
#14
$47,000
$49,112
#15
$47,400
$48,058
#16
$49,670
$47,116
#17
Baton Rouge
34% rent burden
$42,510
$46,827
#18
Oklahoma City
37% rent burden
$40,150
$44,409
#19
$50,240
$44,237
#20
Milwaukee-Waukesha
39% rent burden
$41,460
$42,769
#21
$36,050
$36,028
#22
$30,720
$30,720

COL-adjusted = nominal salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). Rent burden = annual 2BR FMR as % of nominal salary. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents.

Common questions

What does "COL-adjusted pay" mean for Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss?

COL-adjusted pay divides the BLS median salary by the BEA Regional Price Parity index (100 = national average). A salary of $65,240 in a city with RPP 120 has the same purchasing power as $54,367 at national average prices.

Why doesn't New York or San Francisco top this list?

Both cities pay above-average salaries, but rent and everyday costs eat most of that premium. A credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks in New York might earn 30% more but pay 60-80% more in rent. The net result is often less purchasing power than mid-cost metros.

How is purchasing power calculated?

Purchasing power equals nominal median salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). BEA's Regional Price Parities measure relative price levels across metro areas, updated annually from the National Income and Product Accounts.

What's the most affordable metro for Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss?

San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas has one of the lowest rent burdens for Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss in this dataset. HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom is $663/month, with a median salary of $30,720.

Where do Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerkss get paid the most in nominal terms?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin pays the highest nominal median salary at $65,240/year, per BLS OEWS May 2024. But check the COL-adjusted column before accepting any relocation offer.

National salary breakdown for Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and ClerkssView →How to become a credit authorizers, checkers, and clerksGuide →Compare two cities side by sideCompare →