๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 101 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Kissimmee, FL

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

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

Avg. Salary
$69,688
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$68,930
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$158,140
1BR Rent
$1,638
median monthly

Hereโ€™s something most people miss about Kissimmee: for a city sitting in the shadow of Orlandoโ€™s theme park economy, its salary numbers are surprisingly grounded. The median household income here is $59,142, which feels almost defiantly middle-class for Central Florida in 2026.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. Kissimmeeโ€™s cost of living sits at 101.1โ€”just a hair above the national averageโ€”but that 1BR rent of $1,638 a month eats up a bigger slice of that paycheck than youโ€™d think. The COL-adjusted average salary of $68,930 doesnโ€™t stretch as far as it might in the Midwest. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not a rip-off either. Youโ€™re trading some financial breathing room for Floridaโ€™s tax-free income and sunshine.

The economy here leans hard on tourism, hospitality, and the construction that supports it. Think managers for the big hotel chains, logistics coordinators for the distribution centers popping up near the Turnpike, and yes, those marketing managers who keep the tourism machine running. Education levels are modestโ€”only 30.8% have a bachelorโ€™s degreeโ€”but that doesnโ€™t mean opportunity is scarce. Skilled trades and management roles are where the real money is.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages arenโ€™t exactly sprinting ahead of costs. That 3.2% unemployment rate shows a tight job market, but it hasnโ€™t sparked a major wage boom yet. This city works well for skilled professionalsโ€”like software developers who can tap into the Orlando tech scene without paying Orlando rentโ€”and for families who need that Florida income tax break.

The numbers below will show you exactly whoโ€™s earning top dollar and what your take-home pay really looks like after the Florida sun and rent are factored in.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$158,140
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $156,419
โฑ Hourly $76.03/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 162
๐Ÿฅˆ +0% vs national

Pharmacist

$136,478
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $134,993
โฑ Hourly $65.61/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 162
๐Ÿฅ‰ +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,679
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $126,290
โฑ Hourly $61.38/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 487
4๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,567
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $107,386
โฑ Hourly $52.20/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 162
5๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,614
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $100,508
โฑ Hourly $48.85/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 162

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (101/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $158,140
2 Pharmacist $136,478
3 Software Developer $127,679
4 Construction Manager $108,567
5 Project Manager $101,614
6 Physical Therapist $100,039
7 Financial Analyst $99,336
8 Web Developer $93,056
9 Dental Hygienist $87,818
10 Accountant $86,364
11 Registered Nurse $86,354
12 Data Analyst $83,635
13 Police Officer $75,157
14 Human Resources Specialist $67,873
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,880
16 Plumber $63,559
17 Paralegal $62,957
18 Electrician $61,753
19 Real Estate Agent $61,682
20 Graphic Designer $61,542
21 Firefighter $57,308
22 Carpenter $57,107
23 HVAC Technician $55,853
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,265
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,164
26 Cosmetologist $50,164
27 Chef/Head Cook $50,164
28 Personal Trainer $50,164
29 Auto Mechanic $50,164
30 Social Worker $50,164
31 Veterinary Technician $50,164
32 Pharmacy Technician $50,164
33 Dental Assistant $50,164
34 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,164
35 Loan Officer $50,164
36 Insurance Agent $50,164
37 Nail Technician $50,164
38 Welder $49,753
39 Medical Assistant $38,396
40 Security Guard $36,259

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Kissimmee

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,638/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,857/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$337,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$59,142
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
31%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
101
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Kissimmee?

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

โ“ Kissimmee Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Kissimmee, FL?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Kissimmee is $69,688 (2026). This figure is 18% higher than the city's median household income of $59,142. Insight: The average is skewed by high-paying roles like Marketing Manager, which earns $158,140.

What jobs pay the most in Kissimmee?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Kissimmee is Marketing Manager at $158,140 (2026). This is more than double the city's average salary of $69,688. Insight: High salaries are concentrated in management and specialized fields, driving the overall average up.

Is Kissimmee affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $158,140 is highly affordable in Kissimmee (2026). The cost of living index is 101.1, only 1.1% above the national average, and a 1BR apartment rents for $1,638/month. Insight: This salary is 2.7 times the median household income, providing significant financial comfort.

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

โ–ผ
Kissimmee's COL index of 101.1 means your paycheck has 1.1% less purchasing power than the national average (2026). A $69,688 average salary effectively feels like $68,930 nationally. Insight: The impact is minimal, but rent at $1,638/month consumes about 28% of the average salary before taxes.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Kissimmee?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably in Kissimmee, a salary of around $85,000 is recommended (2026). This covers a 1BR rent of $1,638/month (under 30% of income) and other expenses, given the COL index of 101.1. Insight: This is 44% higher than the median household income of $59,142, highlighting affordability challenges for median earners.

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

As an editor who's crunched these numbers, here's my honest verdict: Kissimmee isn't a get-rich-quick city, but it's a solid middle-class bet. The average salary ($69,688) barely keeps pace with a cost-of-living index of 101.1 and a $1,638 monthly rent. You wonโ€™t feel broke, but you wonโ€™t feelๅฏŒ่ฃ• (fรนyรน) either.

The clear winner here is the Marketing Manager, who earns a top-tier $158,140 and sees that purchasing power hold up well, even after adjustments. If you fall into that high-earning professional bracket, Kissimmee works. For everyone elseโ€”especially in healthcare or the tradesโ€”your paycheck will feel stretched thin.

My advice? If you're considering the move, secure the job before you sign a lease. Salaries here don't always justify the rent, so you need the leverage of an offer in hand to make the math work.

Explore Kissimmee Further