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COL-adjusted ranking

Best Cities for Pourers and Casters, Metal by Take-Home Pay

The cities that pay Pourers and Casters, Metal the most on paper aren't usually the best deals once rent and prices are factored in. Cleveland ranks first with a COL-adjusted equivalent of $67,121/year, better purchasing power than Cleveland's higher nominal pay of $63,040. San Francisco and New York dominate the headline salary lists for most occupations, but they don't crack the COL-adjusted top 10 here. The table below uses BLS OEWS May 2025 salary data and BEA Regional Price Parities.

Highest nominal pay

#1 Cleveland$63,040
#2 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$61,680
#3 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$58,240

Best purchasing power

#1 Cleveland$67,121
#2 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$59,542
#3 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$56,494

Top 25 metros by purchasing power

Ranked by COL-adjusted salary. Metros with fewer than 100 employed pourers and casters, metal excluded.

Rank
Metro
Nominal
COL-adj.
#1
Cleveland
24% rent burden
$63,040
$67,121
#2
$61,680
$59,542
#3
$58,240
$56,494
#4
Milwaukee-Waukesha
30% rent burden
$53,100
$54,776
#5
$44,020
$38,760

COL-adjusted = nominal salary divided by (BEA RPP divided by 100). Rent burden = annual 2BR FMR as % of nominal salary. Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025, BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents.

Common questions

What does "COL-adjusted pay" mean for Pourers and Casters, Metal?

COL-adjusted pay divides the BLS median salary by the BEA Regional Price Parity index (100 = national average). A salary of $63,040 in a city with RPP 120 has the same purchasing power as $52,533 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 pourers and casters, metal 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 Pourers and Casters, Metal?

Cleveland has one of the lowest rent burdens for Pourers and Casters, Metal in this dataset. HUD FMR for a 2-bedroom is $1,279/month, with a median salary of $63,040.

Where do Pourers and Casters, Metal get paid the most in nominal terms?

Cleveland pays the highest nominal median salary at $63,040/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. But check the COL-adjusted column before accepting any relocation offer.

National salary breakdown for Pourers and Casters, MetalView →How to become a pourers and casters, metalGuide →Compare two cities side by sideCompare →