๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 95 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Midland, TX

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

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$68,025
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$71,757
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$155,161
1BR Rent
$1,372
median monthly

Hereโ€™s 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 isnโ€™t a place where youโ€™re 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 engineerโ€™s or managerโ€™s salary. Itโ€™s not a steal, but itโ€™s not the financial drain youโ€™d expect in a city with such strong earning potential.

Midlandโ€™s economy is still deeply tied to oil and gas, but itโ€™s diversifying. Youโ€™ll 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 $125,000โ€”salaries that feel shockingly high for a city of 138,000 people.

But thereโ€™s a catch. While wages are strong now, they havenโ€™t 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 youโ€™re in a field that pays below the median, youโ€™ll feel the squeeze.

The data below breaks down exactly what you can expect to earn, and what your life will actually cost.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$155,161
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $163,672
โฑ Hourly $74.60/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 276
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,907
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $141,252
โฑ Hourly $64.38/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 276
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,274
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $132,146
โฑ Hourly $60.23/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 830
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,521
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $112,364
โฑ Hourly $51.21/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 276
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,700
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $105,169
โฑ Hourly $47.93/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 276

๐Ÿ“‹ 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.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $155,161
2 Pharmacist $133,907
3 Software Developer $125,274
4 Construction Manager $106,521
5 Project Manager $99,700
6 Physical Therapist $98,154
7 Financial Analyst $97,465
8 Web Developer $91,303
9 Dental Hygienist $86,164
10 Accountant $84,737
11 Registered Nurse $84,727
12 Data Analyst $82,059
13 Police Officer $73,741
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,594
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,676
16 Plumber $62,361
17 Paralegal $61,771
18 Electrician $60,589
19 Real Estate Agent $60,520
20 Graphic Designer $60,383
21 Firefighter $56,228
22 Carpenter $56,032
23 HVAC Technician $54,801
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,261
25 Loan Officer $49,220
26 Insurance Agent $49,220
27 Nail Technician $49,220
28 Personal Trainer $49,220
29 Cosmetologist $49,220
30 Chef/Head Cook $49,220
31 Auto Mechanic $49,220
32 Social Worker $49,220
33 Veterinary Technician $49,220
34 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,220
35 Dental Assistant $49,220
36 Pharmacy Technician $49,220
37 Welder $48,816
38 Medical Assistant $37,672
39 Security Guard $35,576
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,202

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Midland

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,372/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,612/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$215,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$90,699
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
36%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
95
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ 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

What is the average salary in Midland, TX?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Midland, TX is $68,025 (2026). This is below the median household income of $90,699, indicating a wide range of individual earnings. Insight: The average is skewed by high-paying roles like Marketing Manager.

What jobs pay the most in Midland?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Midland, TX is Marketing Manager at $155,161 (2026). This is more than double the average salary of $68,025 across 40 occupations. Insight: Top roles are concentrated in management and specialized sectors.

Is Midland affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $155,161 is highly affordable in Midland, TX (2026). With a COL index of 94.8 (below the U.S. average) and 1BR rent at $1,372/month, housing costs are manageable. Insight: This salary is over 10 times the monthly rent, leaving ample room for savings.

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

โ–ผ
Midland's COL index of 94.8 (2026) means your paycheck goes 5.2% further than the U.S. average. For example, a $68,025 salary has the purchasing power of $71,500 nationally. Insight: Lower costs, especially rent at $1,372/month, stretch your income further.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Midland?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Midland, TX (2026) is around $90,699, matching the median household income. This covers 1BR rent ($1,372/month) and other costs with the COL index at 94.8. Insight: Earning above the average salary of $68,025 ensures financial ease in this affordable market.

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

As the editor, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Midland can absolutely be worth it financially, but itโ€™s not for everyone. The low cost of living (COL index 94.8, rent at $1,372) stretches that $68,025 average salary further than youโ€™d expect. If youโ€™re a Marketing Manager, youโ€™re in the sweet spotโ€”earning a top salary of $155,161, which adjusts to a powerhouse $163,672 locally.

But letโ€™s be real: the biggest winners here arenโ€™t 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, Midlandโ€™s financial math works in your favor. If not, no amount of savings is worth it.

Explore Midland Further