ocity
💰 COL Index: 86 — Very Affordable

Salaries in McAllen, TX

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$66,118
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$77,241
model average ÷ 85.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$150,810
City 1BR Rent Reference
$781
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for McAllen?

$66,118 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$66,118/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,510/month
Household income context$60,200

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.

🥇 -4% vs national

Marketing Manager

$150,810
💡 Purchasing-power model $176,180
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $72.50/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -4% vs national

Pharmacist

$130,153
💡 Purchasing-power model $152,048
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $62.57/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -4% vs national

Software Developer

$121,762
💡 Purchasing-power model $142,245
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $58.54/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -4% vs national

Construction Manager

$103,535
💡 Purchasing-power model $120,952
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $49.78/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -4% vs national

Project Manager

$96,904
💡 Purchasing-power model $113,206
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $46.59/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in McAllen

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (85.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $150,810
2 Pharmacist $130,153
3 Software Developer $121,762
4 Construction Manager $103,535
5 Project Manager $96,904
6 Physical Therapist $95,402
7 Financial Analyst $94,732
8 Web Developer $88,743
9 Dental Hygienist $83,748
10 Accountant $82,361
11 Registered Nurse $82,351
12 Data Analyst $79,758
13 Police Officer $71,673
14 Human Resources Specialist $64,727
15 Elementary School Teacher $60,919
16 Plumber $60,613
17 Paralegal $60,039
18 Electrician $58,891
19 Real Estate Agent $58,824
20 Graphic Designer $58,690
21 Firefighter $54,652
22 Carpenter $54,461
23 HVAC Technician $53,265
24 Heavy Truck Driver $50,796
25 Loan Officer $47,839
26 Insurance Agent $47,839
27 Nail Technician $47,839
28 Cosmetologist $47,839
29 Personal Trainer $47,839
30 Chef/Head Cook $47,839
31 Auto Mechanic $47,839
32 Social Worker $47,839
33 Veterinary Technician $47,839
34 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $47,839
35 Pharmacy Technician $47,839
36 Dental Assistant $47,839
37 Welder $47,447
38 Medical Assistant $36,616
39 Security Guard $34,578
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,215

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

McAllen 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 0.598×–1.434× across occupations. 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 ÷ 85.6 × 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 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in McAllen

🏠
1BR Rent
$781/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$977/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$264,000
📉
Unemployment
4.0%
💳
Median Income
$60,200
🎓
College Educated
33%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
86
Very Affordable
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your McAllen 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

❓ McAllen Salary FAQ

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

▼
$66,118 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all McAllen workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in McAllen?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,510 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in McAllen?

▼
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 McAllen?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.598×–1.434× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for McAllen

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

Make your salary work in McAllen

City analysis

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City analysis

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City analysis

Where Data Analysts Earn the Most After Cost of Living (2026)

Raw data analyst salary is misleading — here's where the pay goes FURTHEST after rent and groceries

Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore McAllen Further

🏙️ McAllen City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage