Salaries in Midland, TX
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Hereโs a surprising fact about Midland: its median household income of $90,699 is higher than the national average, yet its cost of living sits at 94.8. This isnโt a place where youโre just scraping by.
That COL index means your paycheck stretches further. A $68,000 average salary here feels like earning nearly $72,000 nationally. For a single person, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,372 a month, which is manageable on an engineerโs or managerโs salary. Itโs not a steal, but itโs not the financial drain youโd expect in a city with such strong earning potential.
Midlandโs economy is still deeply tied to oil and gas, but itโs diversifying. Youโll find major players like the energy giant ConocoPhillips and a growing healthcare sector anchored by Midland Memorial Hospital. The real money is in management and tech. Marketing managers here pull in over $155,000, and software developers can expect $125,000โsalaries that feel shockingly high for a city of 138,000 people.
But thereโs a catch. While wages are strong now, they havenโt always kept pace with the rapid cost increases of the last few years. This city works best for skilled professionals in energy, healthcare, or project management. If youโre in a field that pays below the median, youโll feel the squeeze.
The data below breaks down exactly what you can expect to earn, and what your life will actually cost.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Midland
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Marketing Manager
Pharmacist
Software Developer
Construction Manager
Project Manager
๐ Complete Salary Guide โ All 40 Occupations in Midland
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (95/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Midland
๐งฎ Can You Afford to Live in Midland?
Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Midland. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.
โ Midland Salary FAQ
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Midland Worth It?
As the editor, hereโs my honest verdict: Midland can absolutely be worth it financially, but itโs not for everyone. The low cost of living (COL index 94.8, rent at $1,372) stretches that $68,025 average salary further than youโd expect. If youโre a Marketing Manager, youโre in the sweet spotโearning a top salary of $155,161, which adjusts to a powerhouse $163,672 locally.
But letโs be real: the biggest winners here arenโt in marketing. The trades, healthcare workers, and energy sector professionals see the most benefit. Your dollar goes far, and demand for skilled labor keeps pay competitive.
My one piece of advice? Before you pack your bags, spend a week here in August. If you can handle the heat and the pace, Midlandโs financial math works in your favor. If not, no amount of savings is worth it.