Texas Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 4 metropolitan areas in Texas. Prices in Texas were 2.9% below the national level in 2024 (BEA regional price parity 97.1).
Metro Areas in Texas
| Metro Area | Price Level (US = 100) | vs National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 98.1 | -1.9% |
| Dallas, TX | 103.1 | +3.1% |
| Houston, TX | 98.6 | -1.4% |
| El Paso, TX | 89.9 | -10.1% |
| Texas (statewide) | 97.1 | -2.9% |
Top Paying Occupations in Texas
| Occupation | TX Median | National Median | vs National | Top Metro Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $154,200 | $159,670 | -$5,470 | Dallas, TX |
| Software Developer | $132,150 | $135,980 | -$3,830 | Austin, TX |
| Financial Analyst | $99,150 | $102,740 | -$3,590 | Houston, TX |
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | $97,550 | -$1,580 | Dallas, TX |
| Electrician | $58,570 | $63,190 | -$4,620 | Austin, TX |
Salary by City — Texas
4Wages and Prices in Texas
This dataset covers 4 metropolitan areas in Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso. BEA's regional price parities for them run from 89.9 to 103.1 (United States = 100), and the statewide figure is 97.1.
Of the occupations featured here, Lawyer has the highest statewide median at $154,200; among the metro areas covered, its highest median is $168,510 in Dallas, TX.
To compare a wage across areas, divide it by the area's regional price parity and multiply by 100. That restates it at national-average prices; it covers prices only, not taxes. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within Texas.
Statewide median salary by occupation in Texas
State-level BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates (all metro and non-metro areas combined), highest median first. Each row links to the full state page for that occupation.
| Occupation | Median | 75th pct | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physician | $269,800 | $370,990 | 30,720 |
| Lawyer | $154,200 | $223,390 | 56,580 |
| Marketing Manager | $147,880 | $200,430 | 44,680 |
| Pharmacist | $138,260 | $160,080 | 24,700 |
| HR Manager | $136,500 | $176,830 | 23,220 |
| Sales Manager | $136,020 | $193,630 | 76,010 |
| Network Engineer | $133,310 | $166,220 | 13,650 |
| Software Developer | $132,150 | $162,530 | 163,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,670 | $147,660 | 25,970 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $129,890 | $160,020 | 16,130 |
| Data Scientist | $122,090 | $146,030 | 25,860 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $122,090 | $146,030 | 25,860 |
| Database Administrator | $114,400 | $138,480 | 6,430 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $112,410 | $145,090 | 22,080 |
| Cloud Architect | $111,530 | $152,110 | 57,020 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,140 | $127,830 | 13,400 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $127,290 | 21,870 |
| Actuary | $105,020 | $137,590 | 1,750 |
| Operations Manager | $103,230 | $168,510 | 431,310 |
| UX Designer | $102,650 | $138,430 | 5,910 |
| Construction Manager | $101,470 | $131,570 | 59,060 |
| Business Analyst | $101,400 | $131,210 | 50,990 |
| DevOps Engineer | $101,240 | $128,140 | 34,840 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $100,700 | $135,960 | 28,710 |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,240 | $107,320 | 16,380 |
| Financial Advisor | $99,160 | $163,340 | 18,200 |
| Financial Analyst | $99,150 | $126,200 | 28,820 |
| Project Manager | $98,440 | $129,370 | 138,960 |
| Civil Engineer | $96,860 | $127,340 | 34,870 |
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | $105,100 | 271,380 |
| Technical Writer | $82,750 | $105,630 | 3,340 |
| Accountant | $80,920 | $103,760 | 116,470 |
| Tax Manager | $80,920 | $103,760 | 116,470 |
| Radiologic Technologist | $78,630 | $93,830 | 20,250 |
| Investment Banker | $78,470 | $130,950 | 41,640 |
| School Counselor | $67,900 | $82,460 | 31,730 |
| College Professor | $64,110 | $97,880 | 4,600 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,760 | $65,410 | 116,260 |
| Paralegal | $62,310 | $77,740 | 29,540 |
| Plumber | $59,840 | $74,100 | 44,090 |
| Electrician | $58,570 | $71,130 | 76,770 |
| HVAC Technician | $57,760 | $69,860 | 34,730 |
| Welder | $53,340 | $64,770 | 52,000 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,520 | $46,180 | 75,340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in Texas?
Among the occupations featured on this page, Lawyer has the highest statewide median in Texas at $154,200 per year, followed by Software Developer at $132,150. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
How do prices in Texas compare with the rest of the country?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis puts the regional price parity for Texas at 97.1 for 2024, where the United States is 100. That is 2.9% below the national level. For the metro areas covered here: Austin, TX 98.1, Dallas, TX 103.1, Houston, TX 98.6, El Paso, TX 89.9.
Which city in Texas has the best salaries?
Among the 4 Texas metro areas covered here, Dallas, TX has the highest median for Lawyers at $168,510 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Rankings differ by occupation; the city table on this page shows each one.