Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants 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
$36,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$32,143 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$28,319 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $42,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $32,340▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $53,760▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $67,200▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,143 | $33,871▲ | -$1,728 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $31,717 | $38,808▲ | -$7,091 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $28,319 | $31,297▲ | -$2,978 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($32,143 vs $33,871 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.