Salaries in Parma, OH

Here’s a number that’ll make you do a double-take: in Parma, a software developer earning $124,854 has the same purchasing power as someone pulling in $155,000 in a typical U.S. city. That’s the power of a cost-of-living index sitting at 93.7. It’s not that Parma is cheap—rent for a one-bedroom is still $890—but your paycheck stretches further than you’d expect.

Let’s talk real take-home pay. The median household income here is $66,681. Pair that with a COL index well below the national average, and you’re looking at a solid middle-class life that feels a lot more comfortable than that number suggests. It’s not a bargain basement, but it’s not punishing you either. For a family, that’s a meaningful difference at the grocery store and the gas pump.

Parma isn’t a tech hub, but it’s got a surprising number of software developers doing well. The real economy here is built on healthcare, education, and skilled trades. You’ve got the Parma Community General Hospital system, the Parma City School District, and a whole lot of manufacturing and construction work that keeps electricians and other tradespeople in steady demand. It’s a city that runs on nurses, teachers, and the people who keep the lights on and the pipes running.

Here’s my honest take: wages aren’t exploding, but they’re holding steady against a cost of living that’s been kinder to residents than in other Ohio cities. For a young professional in tech or healthcare, or a skilled tradesperson, Parma offers a rare combo—good pay and a low financial stress level. It might not be the place for a high-flying finance career, but it’s a grounded, financially sensible place to build a life.

The data below breaks it all down—what you can expect to earn, and what that really means for your wallet.