๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 106 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Queen Creek, AZ

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

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

Avg. Salary
$55,280
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$52,398
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$129,359
1BR Rent
$1,424
median monthly

Hereโ€™s a fun fact thatโ€™ll make your head scratch: Queen Creekโ€”yes, that quiet suburb out eastโ€”now has a median household income of $135,444, which is nearly $20k above the national average. Itโ€™s not a tech hub or a finance capital; itโ€™s a place where software developers and electricians both find solid ground.

But letโ€™s talk real money. With a cost of living index of 105.5, youโ€™re paying a 5.5% premium over the U.S. average. That $1,424 one-bedroom rent isnโ€™t cheap, but itโ€™s not crushing, either. When you adjust for that, the average salary here drops from $55,280 to $52,398โ€”a reminder that while the paychecks look good, they donโ€™t stretch as far as youโ€™d hope. Itโ€™s not a bargain, but itโ€™s not a rip-off; itโ€™s justโ€ฆ Arizona in 2026.

Queen Creekโ€™s economy leans hard into healthcare, construction, and education. Youโ€™ve got Dignity Health and Queen Creek Unified School District as major employers, and the growth in residential building keeps electricians and tradespeople busy. The tech scene is small but presentโ€”those software developers pulling $129k are often remote or tied to Phoenix firms. Teachers and nurses do okay, but theyโ€™re not getting rich.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages are keeping pace with costs, but just barely. If youโ€™re in a licensed trade or a tech role, youโ€™ll thrive. But if youโ€™re in retail or hospitality, that 3.8% unemployment rate might feel more like a ceiling than a floor. The city works well for dual-income families or those who can command a remote salary.

The data below breaks it all downโ€”top jobs, real take-home pay, and who actually comes out ahead.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Queen Creek

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$129,359
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $122,615
โฑ Hourly $62.19/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Accountant

$87,500
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $82,938
โฑ Hourly $42.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$87,490
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $82,929
โฑ Hourly $42.06/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,720
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,346
โฑ Hourly $31.12/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Electrician

$62,565
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,303
โฑ Hourly $30.08/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Queen Creek

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (106/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $129,359
2 Accountant $87,500
3 Registered Nurse $87,490
4 Elementary School Teacher $64,720
5 Electrician $62,565
6 Real Estate Agent $62,494
7 Heavy Truck Driver $53,965
8 Medical Assistant $50,825
9 Welder $50,825
10 Nail Technician $50,825
11 Cosmetologist $50,825
12 Personal Trainer $50,825
13 Chef/Head Cook $50,825
14 Auto Mechanic $50,825
15 Veterinary Technician $50,825
16 Pharmacy Technician $50,825
17 Dental Assistant $50,825
18 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,825
19 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,825
20 Project Manager $50,825
21 Police Officer $50,825
22 Graphic Designer $50,825
23 Data Analyst $50,825
24 Plumber $50,825
25 Loan Officer $50,825
26 Insurance Agent $50,825
27 Carpenter $50,825
28 Physical Therapist $50,825
29 Human Resources Specialist $50,825
30 Financial Analyst $50,825
31 Pharmacist $50,825
32 HVAC Technician $50,825
33 Social Worker $50,825
34 Firefighter $50,825
35 Construction Manager $50,825
36 Dental Hygienist $50,825
37 Web Developer $50,825
38 Marketing Manager $50,825
39 Paralegal $50,825
40 Security Guard $36,736

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Queen Creek

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,424/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,780/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$612,490
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$135,444
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
35%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
106
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Queen Creek?

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

โ“ Queen Creek Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Queen Creek, AZ?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Queen Creek is $55,280. This is 5.5% above the national average due to a cost of living index of 105.5. The median household income is $135,444, indicating higher earning potential for households.

What jobs pay the most in Queen Creek?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $129,359. This is more than double the town's average salary of $55,280. Tech roles consistently top the pay scale in the area.

Is Queen Creek affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $129,359 is well above the town's median household income of $135,444. With a 1BR rent of $1,424/month, housing costs are manageable. The cost of living index of 105.5 means expenses are only slightly above average.

How does Queen Creek's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
A cost of living index of 105.5 means your paycheck has 5.5% less purchasing power than the national average. For a $55,280 salary, this effectively reduces real income. Housing is the primary cost driver, with 1BR rent at $1,424/month.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Queen Creek?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary near the median household income of $135,444. This covers the 1BR rent of $1,424/month and other expenses at the 105.5 cost of living index. The average salary of $55,280 may require strict budgeting for single occupants.

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

Honestly, Queen Creek is not a bargain. With a cost-of-living index of 105.5 and rent averaging $1,424 a month, that $55,280 average salary wonโ€™t stretch far. But if youโ€™re in software development, the math works: $129,359 nominal and $122,615 COL-adjusted puts you in a strong position. Tech workers get the biggest upside here. Healthcare and trades can live comfortably, but youโ€™ll feel the squeeze if youโ€™re not earning six figures or sharing housing. My verdict? For most, Queen Creek is livable, not lucrativeโ€”unless youโ€™re in tech. If youโ€™re considering the move, lock in a job before you lock in a lease.

Explore Queen Creek Further