ocity
💰 COL Index: 106 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Surprise, AZ

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

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 39 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$54,454
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$51,615
model average ÷ 105.5 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Software Developer
$129,359
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,424
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Surprise?

$54,454 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$54,454/year
Gross monthly equivalent$4,538/month
Household income context$89,560

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 39-Role Set

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

🥇 +2% vs national

Software Developer

$129,359
💡 Purchasing-power model $122,615
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $62.19/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +2% vs national

Accountant

$87,500
💡 Purchasing-power model $82,938
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $42.07/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,720
💡 Purchasing-power model $61,346
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $31.12/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +2% vs national

Electrician

$62,565
💡 Purchasing-power model $59,303
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.08/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +2% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$62,494
💡 Purchasing-power model $59,236
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $30.05/hr
National projected growth +3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 39 Occupations in Surprise

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (105.5/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 39 occupations.

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

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

Surprise 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 0.322×–1.524× 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 ÷ 105.5 × 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 Surprise

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,424/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,780/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$419,495
📉
Unemployment
3.8%
💳
Median Income
$89,560
🎓
College Educated
30%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
106
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Surprise 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

❓ Surprise Salary FAQ

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

▼
$54,454 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 39 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Surprise workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Surprise?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $4,538 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Surprise?

▼
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 Surprise?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.322×–1.524× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Surprise

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.

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Explore Surprise Further

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