Where Creative Pay Goes Furthest After Local Prices

This table shows the 10 highest-ranked metros from the 30 selected major U.S. metros analyzed. The nominal benchmark is the unweighted median of the available annual median wages for seven selected creative occupations. It is then adjusted using each metro’s 2024 BEA Regional Price Parity to estimate its value at national-average prices. San Francisco, the metro with the highest adjusted result, receives 100 points on the Real Paycheck Index.

¹ Nominal wage rank is the metro’s position before regional prices are applied. A lower number indicates a stronger nominal creative-wage benchmark.
² Nominal creative-wage benchmark is the unweighted median of the available annual median wages for seven selected creative occupations. It is a comparison benchmark, not the combined median salary of all creative workers. A metro required at least five of seven published BLS estimates to qualify.
³ Local price level vs. U.S. average converts each metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity into a per cent comparison. “16% higher” means overall prices are approximately 16% above the U.S. average, while “5% lower” means they are approximately 5% below it. Metros within 0.5% of the national price level are shown as “About average.” Calculations use the underlying unrounded RPP values.
⁴ Cost-adjusted creative wage is calculated by dividing the nominal benchmark by Regional Price Parity as a share of 100. It shows the benchmark’s estimated purchasing power at national-average prices, not take-home pay or actual income after expenses.
⁵ Real Paycheck Index compares each metro’s cost-adjusted creative wage with San Francisco, the study leader at 100 points. It is a leader-relative score, not a percentage above or below the national average.
See more in methodology.