๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 100 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Conroe, TX

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

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$53,603
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$53,495
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$127,336
1BR Rent
$1,252
median monthly

You might think Conroe is just another Houston exurb, but the numbers tell a different story. Itโ€™s a city of nearly 110,000 people where a software developer can pull in over $127,000. That kind of salary doesnโ€™t usually pop up in a place with a median household income of just $77,027.

The real story here is purchasing power. Conroeโ€™s cost of living sits at 100.2โ€”practically dead-on the national average. But with a median income thatโ€™s modest, that $1,252 one-bedroom rent eats up a big chunk of your paycheck. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not crushing you either. Youโ€™re trading a bit of financial breathing room for a lower cost of entry compared to Austin or Dallas.

So who actually thrives here? The data screams "tech-adjacent professionals." Software developers are the clear winners, but accountants and even skilled trades like electricians do well, too. The cityโ€™s proximity to the Woodlands and Houston means energy sector jobs are still a big deal, and youโ€™ll find plenty of demand for real estate agents as the area keeps growing. The education level hereโ€”only 36.6% have a bachelorโ€™s degree or higherโ€”suggests thereโ€™s less competition for those top-tier professional roles.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Wages arenโ€™t exploding to match the creeping cost of living. That software developer salary looks great, but itโ€™s barely keeping pace with inflation. This city works best for remote workers who can earn a big-city salary while paying Conroe prices, or for local professionals in high-demand fields. For everyone else, itโ€™s a steady grind.

The breakdown below will show you exactly where the salaries are and how they stack up against the cost of making a life here.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,336
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $127,082
โฑ Hourly $61.22/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +0% vs national

Accountant

$86,131
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $85,959
โฑ Hourly $41.41/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +0% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,708
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,581
โฑ Hourly $30.63/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Electrician

$61,586
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,463
โฑ Hourly $29.61/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +0% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$61,516
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,393
โฑ Hourly $29.57/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Conroe

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

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $127,336
2 Accountant $86,131
3 Elementary School Teacher $63,708
4 Electrician $61,586
5 Real Estate Agent $61,516
6 Heavy Truck Driver $53,121
7 Data Analyst $50,030
8 Plumber $50,030
9 Paralegal $50,030
10 Carpenter $50,030
11 Human Resources Specialist $50,030
12 Physical Therapist $50,030
13 Financial Analyst $50,030
14 Pharmacist $50,030
15 HVAC Technician $50,030
16 Loan Officer $50,030
17 Firefighter $50,030
18 Nail Technician $50,030
19 Construction Manager $50,030
20 Cosmetologist $50,030
21 Chef/Head Cook $50,030
22 Social Worker $50,030
23 Auto Mechanic $50,030
24 Web Developer $50,030
25 Veterinary Technician $50,030
26 Pharmacy Technician $50,030
27 Personal Trainer $50,030
28 Dental Assistant $50,030
29 Dental Hygienist $50,030
30 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,030
31 Medical Assistant $50,030
32 Marketing Manager $50,030
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,030
34 Insurance Agent $50,030
35 Project Manager $50,030
36 Welder $50,030
37 Police Officer $50,030
38 Graphic Designer $50,030
39 Security Guard $36,161

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Conroe

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,252/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,565/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$329,790
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$77,027
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
100
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Conroe?

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

โ“ Conroe Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Conroe, TX?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Conroe is $53,603. This figure is slightly above the national average cost of living index of 100.2, indicating moderate purchasing power. Insight: This average is significantly lower than the city's median household income of $77,027, suggesting a wide income distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Conroe?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Conroe is Software Developer, with an average salary of $127,336. This position commands a premium of over 137% compared to the city's average salary of $53,603. Insight: This high wage is a key driver for the city's above-average median household income of $77,027.

Is Conroe affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, Conroe is highly affordable on a Software Developer's $127,336 salary. The annual rent for a 1BR apartment is $15,024, which is only 11.8% of the gross salary. Insight: This leaves over $112,000 for other expenses, taxes, and savings, well above the comfort threshold.

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

โ–ผ
Conroe's Cost of Living Index is 100.2, meaning it is 0.2% more expensive than the national average. For a worker earning the city's average salary of $53,603, this index has a minimal direct impact on purchasing power. Insight: The primary financial pressure comes from housing, as the median household income ($77,027) is 43% higher than the average individual salary, indicating many households rely on multiple earners.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Conroe?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Conroe is approximately $60,000 to $70,000 annually. This range covers the median household income of $77,027 and allows for housing (1BR rent: $1,252/mo), savings, and discretionary spending. Insight: Earning at or above the city's average salary of $53,603 provides a baseline, but surpassing $60,000 aligns more closely with the area's median household financial stability.

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

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Conroe isnโ€™t a gold rush, but for the right person, itโ€™s a solid bet. With a cost of living barely above the national average (100.2) and rent at $1,252, that $53,603 average salary stretches further than in Houston. If you're a Software Developer, youโ€™re sitting pretty with top earnings at $127,336โ€”even after adjusting for cost of living.

Tech workers win here, hands down. Healthcare and skilled trades do okay, but the pay gap is real. For everyone else, itโ€™s about balance: lower living costs vs. limited high-paying roles.

My advice? Donโ€™t move here just for the job unless youโ€™re in tech. Come for the slower pace and lower rent, but have a remote gig or a solid local offer locked in first. Conroe rewards planners, not dreamers.

Explore Conroe Further