๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 95 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Fishers, IN

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

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

Avg. Salary
$53,502
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$56,556
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$125,198
1BR Rent
$898
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Fishers: you can make well over six figures and still feel like youโ€™re living a pretty normal, suburban life. Thatโ€™s not a knockโ€”itโ€™s the whole point.

With a cost of living index at 94.6, your dollar stretches further here than the national average. Take that median household income of $121,382. In a lot of places, thatโ€™s a fortune. Here, itโ€™s a comfortable life, especially when a one-bedroom apartment runs you just $898 a month. Youโ€™re not just getting by; youโ€™re building a real financial cushion, which is rare these days.

So whoโ€™s actually earning that money? The tech and healthcare sectors are the big drivers. Youโ€™ll find plenty of software developers pulling in $125,000, and the cityโ€™s proximity to Indianapolis means those roles often come with big-company salaries. Itโ€™s a quiet hub for skilled trades, too. But honestly, the most surprising stat might be the unemployment rateโ€”just 3.4%. In 2026, thatโ€™s a tight labor market, and it means employers are competing for you, not the other way around.

Now, the catch. While the cost of living is low, wages for some roles, like elementary school teachers, havenโ€™t fully caught up to the national pace. Itโ€™s a great place for professionals in tech, finance, or healthcare, but if youโ€™re in a field with slower wage growth, youโ€™ll feel the pinch from rising costs just like anywhere else. Itโ€™s a bargain, but only if youโ€™re in the right job.

The numbers below will show you exactly what to expect for your profession, both in raw salary and what itโ€™s actually worth in your pocket here in Fishers.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,198
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $132,345
โฑ Hourly $60.19/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,685
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,519
โฑ Hourly $40.71/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,675
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,508
โฑ Hourly $40.71/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,638
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $66,214
โฑ Hourly $30.11/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,552
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $64,008
โฑ Hourly $29.11/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (95/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $125,198
2 Accountant $84,685
3 Registered Nurse $84,675
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,638
5 Electrician $60,552
6 Real Estate Agent $60,484
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,229
8 Plumber $49,190
9 Paralegal $49,190
10 Human Resources Specialist $49,190
11 Carpenter $49,190
12 Physical Therapist $49,190
13 Financial Analyst $49,190
14 Pharmacist $49,190
15 HVAC Technician $49,190
16 Welder $49,190
17 Construction Manager $49,190
18 Firefighter $49,190
19 Dental Hygienist $49,190
20 Nail Technician $49,190
21 Cosmetologist $49,190
22 Web Developer $49,190
23 Marketing Manager $49,190
24 Chef/Head Cook $49,190
25 Personal Trainer $49,190
26 Auto Mechanic $49,190
27 Social Worker $49,190
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,190
29 Veterinary Technician $49,190
30 Dental Assistant $49,190
31 Pharmacy Technician $49,190
32 Medical Assistant $49,190
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,190
34 Loan Officer $49,190
35 Project Manager $49,190
36 Graphic Designer $49,190
37 Police Officer $49,190
38 Insurance Agent $49,190
39 Data Analyst $49,190
40 Security Guard $35,554

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Fishers

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$898/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,122/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$430,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$121,382
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
95
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Fishers?

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

โ“ Fishers Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Fishers, IN?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Fishers is $53,502. This figure is based on 2026 local data for a wide range of jobs. Insight: This average is significantly lower than the city's median household income of $121,382, indicating high household earnings are driven by dual incomes or businesses.

What jobs pay the most in Fishers?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Fishers is Software Developer, with an average salary of $125,198. This position leads all other occupations tracked in the 2026 data. Insight: This salary is more than double the city's overall average salary of $53,502, highlighting a strong premium for tech skills.

Is Fishers affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, Fishers is very affordable on a Software Developer's $125,198 salary. With a cost of living index of 94.6 (below the U.S. average of 100) and 1BR rent at $898/month, housing costs are low. Insight: A Software Developer's salary is over 11 times the annual rent for a 1BR apartment, allowing for substantial savings.

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

โ–ผ
Fishers's cost of living index is 94.6, meaning your paycheck goes about 5.4% further than the national average. For example, the 1BR rent of $898/month is well below typical affordability thresholds. Insight: This lower COL effectively boosts your real income, making a $53,502 salary feel more like $56,450 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Fishers?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Fishers is around $75,000 to $90,000, based on the area's cost of living. This comfortably covers the $898/month rent and other expenses while allowing for savings. Insight: This range is below the median household income of $121,382, suggesting a single earner can live comfortably on less than many households earn combined.

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

Here's my honest take: Fishers is a solid value play, but not a gold rush. With an average salary of $53,502 and a cost-of-living index of 94.6, your money stretches further than in most cities. The standout is software development, where you can clear $125K (and a COL-adjusted $132K), making it the clear financial winner. Healthcare and trades do okay here, but tech is where the ceiling is highest.

If you're in tech, Fishers is an easy yes. For everyone else, it's a decent living, not a windfall. My advice? Lock in a remote-friendly tech salary if you canโ€”then enjoy the $898 rent.

Explore Fishers Further