ocity
💰 COL Index: 100 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Houston, TX

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-25 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$69,809
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$69,669
model average ÷ 100.2 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$157,714
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,135
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Houston?

$69,809 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$69,809/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,817/month
Household income context$62,637

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$157,714
💡 Purchasing-power model $157,399
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $75.82/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +0% vs national

Pharmacist

$136,111
💡 Purchasing-power model $135,839
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $65.44/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,336
💡 Purchasing-power model $127,082
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.22/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,274
💡 Purchasing-power model $108,058
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $52.05/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,340
💡 Purchasing-power model $101,138
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.72/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Houston

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (100.2/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $157,714
2 Pharmacist $136,111
3 Software Developer $127,336
4 Construction Manager $108,274
5 Project Manager $101,340
6 Physical Therapist $99,769
7 Financial Analyst $99,069
8 Web Developer $92,805
9 Dental Hygienist $87,582
10 Accountant $86,131
11 Registered Nurse $86,121
12 Data Analyst $83,410
13 Insurance Agent $79,987
14 Loan Officer $76,245
15 Police Officer $74,954
16 Human Resources Specialist $67,690
17 Elementary School Teacher $63,708
18 Plumber $63,388
19 Paralegal $62,787
20 Electrician $61,586
21 Real Estate Agent $61,516
22 Graphic Designer $61,376
23 Social Worker $60,896
24 Chef/Head Cook $60,386
25 Firefighter $57,154
26 Carpenter $56,954
27 HVAC Technician $55,703
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $54,652
29 Heavy Truck Driver $53,121
30 Welder $49,619
31 Auto Mechanic $48,348
32 Personal Trainer $46,708
33 Dental Assistant $44,846
34 Veterinary Technician $42,765
35 Pharmacy Technician $40,324
36 Cosmetologist $38,393
37 Medical Assistant $38,292
38 Security Guard $36,161
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,781
40 Nail Technician $33,370

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Houston salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 1.001×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 100.2 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-25; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Houston

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,135/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,357/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$335,000
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$62,637
🎓
College Educated
37%
🚶
Walk Score
75/100
📊
Cost of Living
100
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Houston Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Houston Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Houston mean on this page?

▼
$69,809 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Houston workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Houston?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,817 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Houston?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Houston?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 1.001×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Houston

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

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