Physician · Salary Comparison · 2026
Physician Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Physicians 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
$212,000 vs $225,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$189,286 vs $181,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$166,767 vs $167,661
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $212,000 | $225,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $159,000 | $168,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $278,000 | $295,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $346,000 | $368,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $189,286▲ | $181,452 | +$7,834 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $186,779 | $207,900▲ | -$21,121 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $166,767 | $167,661▲ | -$894 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 6,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $212,000 vs $225,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($189,286 vs $181,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.