College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$66,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$58,929 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$51,918 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $77,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $59,290▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $98,560▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $123,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $58,929 | $62,097▲ | -$3,168 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,148 | $71,148▲ | -$13,000 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $51,918 | $57,377▲ | -$5,459 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 57,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($58,929 vs $62,097 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.