Pharmacist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Pharmacist Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Pharmacists in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$92,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$85,981 vs $81,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$79,447 vs $75,261
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $101,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,840 | $77,770▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,760 | $129,280▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $147,200 | $161,600▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,981▲ | $81,452 | +$4,529 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $93,324▲ | -$8,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,447▲ | $75,261 | +$4,186 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 30,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($85,981 vs $81,452 equivalent). Houston, 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.