GeraJobs / US Real Pay Index / Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Best States to Be a Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
After 2025 state income tax and 2024 cost of living, a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics salary goes furthest in Missouri — a $55,120 BLS median worth $58,811 in real terms (Gera US Real Pay Index 120.2).
Which US states are best for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics after cost of living and tax?
For a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics, the Gera US Real Pay Index ranks Missouri #1: a $55,120 BLS median becomes $58,811 in cost-of-living-and-tax-adjusted terms (index 120.2). Maryland ranks last ($41,726, index 85.3). Real BLS OEWS May 2025 across 49 states; re-dated annually.
Gera US Real Pay Index
Missouri ranks #1 of 49 states for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics. Index 100 = the average state; 120.2 means pay goes 20.2% further after tax and cost of living.
How this is calculatedOutdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics — real pay by state (best first)
| # | State | BLS median | State tax | Cost (RPP) | Real pay | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri | $55,120 | $1,710 | 90.8 | $58,811 | 120.2 |
| 2 | Alaska | $60,190 | — | 102.4 | $58,803 | 120.2 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $50,540 | — | 89.0 | $56,813 | 116.1 |
| 4 | Nevada | $56,750 | — | 100.0 | $56,762 | 116.0 |
| 5 | Idaho | $55,320 | $2,030 | 95.5 | $55,804 | 114.1 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $57,610 | — | 104.2 | $55,306 | 113.0 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $55,990 | $2,318 | 98.6 | $54,422 | 111.2 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $49,710 | $1,489 | 90.1 | $53,518 | 109.4 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $56,680 | $1,626 | 103.6 | $53,136 | 108.6 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $57,830 | $2,672 | 105.8 | $52,156 | 106.6 |
| 11 | Delaware | $54,230 | $2,333 | 99.8 | $51,997 | 106.3 |
| 12 | Vermont | $51,250 | $1,298 | 98.0 | $50,993 | 104.2 |
| 13 | Washington | $53,990 | — | 107.0 | $50,452 | 103.1 |
| 14 | Iowa | $45,830 | $1,702 | 87.8 | $50,282 | 102.8 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $58,110 | $2,886 | 110.0 | $50,226 | 102.7 |
| 16 | Tennessee | $46,060 | — | 91.9 | $50,136 | 102.5 |
| 17 | Kansas | $46,540 | $1,797 | 90.1 | $49,677 | 101.5 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $48,140 | $1,399 | 94.1 | $49,674 | 101.5 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $52,160 | $1,356 | 102.3 | $49,671 | 101.5 |
| 20 | Colorado | $52,620 | $1,655 | 103.1 | $49,455 | 101.1 |
| 21 | South Carolina | $47,510 | $1,338 | 93.7 | $49,250 | 100.7 |
| 22 | Ohio | $46,110 | $486 | 92.8 | $49,178 | 100.5 |
| 23 | Indiana | $47,260 | $1,388 | 93.3 | $49,151 | 100.5 |
| 24 | Utah | $50,840 | $2,313 | 98.9 | $49,084 | 100.3 |
| 25 | Montana | $47,880 | $1,687 | 94.6 | $48,807 | 99.8 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $47,370 | $1,471 | 94.3 | $48,660 | 99.5 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $43,200 | $921 | 88.2 | $47,932 | 98.0 |
| 28 | Maine | $47,960 | $1,623 | 97.0 | $47,746 | 97.6 |
| 29 | Georgia | $47,360 | $1,906 | 96.3 | $47,204 | 96.5 |
| 30 | Texas | $45,720 | — | 97.1 | $47,106 | 96.3 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $41,580 | — | 88.6 | $46,937 | 95.9 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $42,630 | $1,487 | 87.8 | $46,837 | 95.7 |
| 33 | Michigan | $46,730 | $1,740 | 96.2 | $46,759 | 95.6 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $52,000 | $1,325 | 108.8 | $46,574 | 95.2 |
| 35 | Alabama | $43,110 | $1,891 | 88.8 | $46,406 | 94.9 |
| 36 | Florida | $47,840 | — | 103.4 | $46,261 | 94.6 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $43,110 | $1,594 | 90.2 | $46,048 | 94.1 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $46,270 | $1,420 | 97.6 | $45,966 | 94.0 |
| 39 | Arizona | $46,580 | $690 | 100.7 | $45,582 | 93.2 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $42,520 | $908 | 92.2 | $45,126 | 92.2 |
| 41 | Virginia | $47,480 | $1,930 | 101.1 | $45,052 | 92.1 |
| 42 | Oregon | $50,020 | $3,573 | 103.4 | $44,937 | 91.9 |
| 43 | New York | $50,640 | $2,180 | 107.9 | $44,903 | 91.8 |
| 44 | California | $50,790 | $1,144 | 110.7 | $44,840 | 91.7 |
| 45 | Illinois | $46,190 | $2,145 | 100.0 | $44,063 | 90.1 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $39,210 | $1,073 | 89.5 | $42,613 | 87.1 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $37,900 | $862 | 87.0 | $42,595 | 87.1 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $37,610 | $1,258 | 86.9 | $41,814 | 85.5 |
| 49 | Maryland | $45,630 | $1,835 | 105.0 | $41,726 | 85.3 |
"Real pay" = BLS median − 2025 state income tax, divided by the state's 2024 BEA cost of living (US = 100). Only the 49 states for which BLS publishes a median for this occupation are ranked; suppressed cells are excluded, never set to zero.
Where does your salary go furthest?
Enter a salary and a state. We adjust for 2025 state income tax and the 2024 BEA cost of living to show your real, purchasing-power-equivalent pay — then rank every state.
In Missouri, a $55,120 salary is worth about $57,841 in cost-of-living-and-tax-adjusted terms.
State income tax $2,591 (≈ top marginal 4.70% (upper bound)) · take-home $52,529 · BEA cost of living 90.8 (US = 100).
The same salary goes furthest in South Dakota — worth $62,222, a $4,381 gain over Missouri.
| # | State | Real value | Cost (RPP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | $62,222 | 88.6 |
| 2 | Arkansas | $60,930 | 86.9 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $60,615 | 88.2 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $60,601 | 87.0 |
| 5 | Iowa | $60,420 | 87.8 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $60,412 | 89.0 |
| 7 | Tennessee | $59,998 | 91.9 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $59,768 | 87.8 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $59,466 | 92.7 |
| 10 | Alabama | $58,953 | 88.8 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $58,691 | 90.2 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $58,620 | 89.5 |
Estimate only. State income tax is approximated from each state's 2025 flat rate (or top marginal rate as an upper bound for graduated states) and ignores federal tax, deductions and credits. The pre-published occupation and state pages use exact 2025 bracket math. Cost of living is the 2024 BEA Regional Price Parity (All Items).
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics — real pay FAQ
- What is the best state to be a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics?
- By the Gera US Real Pay Index, Missouri is the best state for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics: a BLS median of $55,120 is worth $58,811 after the 2025 state income tax ($1,710) and the 2024 BEA cost-of-living adjustment (RPP 90.8), an index of 120.2 where the average state is 100.
- Does the highest-paying state also leave you best off?
- Not necessarily. Alaska has the highest headline BLS median for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics at $60,190, but after state tax and cost of living it ranks #2 of 49 on real pay (index 120.2). That gap is exactly what the Gera US Real Pay Index reveals.
- Where does a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics salary go least far?
- Maryland ranks last of 49 states for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics: a $45,630 BLS median is worth only $41,726 after tax and cost of living (index 85.3). Higher local prices and/or income tax less far than the national average erode the headline pay.
Compare other occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care AidesWashington
- Retail SalespersonsNorth Dakota
- Fast Food and Counter WorkersCalifornia
- General and Operations ManagersSouth Dakota
- Registered NursesCalifornia
- CashiersWashington
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandNorth Dakota
- Stockers and Order FillersWyoming
- Customer Service RepresentativesIowa
- Office Clerks, GeneralNorth Dakota
- Waiters and WaitressesVermont
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersWashington
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Related on GeraJobs
- Gera US Real Pay Index — all states ranked — and how the index is calculated.
- Methodology — the exact BLS + BEA + tax computation.
- Browse US jobs with salary ranges — roles hiring now.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) (May 2025 state estimates, US federal public domain); U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional Price Parities (All Items), by state (2024 (US = 100)); Tax Foundation — 2025 State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets. The Gera US Real Pay Index for a outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics is computed by GeraJobs from these figures; no figure is modelled or interpolated.