Salary & Cost of Living in Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ: $44,315 median salary, cost of living index 112.8, $14.35/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$44,315
$21/hr
Cost of Living
112.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.35
per hour
Unemployment
2.9%
rate
Flagstaff, AZ Overview
Population
73,964
Median Salary
$44,315
Average Salary
$49,633
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$485,000
Median Rent
$1,977/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
5.6%
Flagstaff is located in Arizona with a population of 73,964. The median household salary is $44,315 per year ($21/hour), which is $15,069 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Flagstaff Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Flagstaff, AZ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $44,315 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $27,475 | $13.21/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $44,315 | $21.31/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $62,927 | $30.26/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $78,881 | $37.93/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Flagstaff Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Flagstaff, AZ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,538
$3,044.81/month · $1,405.30/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.5%
Gross Pay
$44,315
Federal Tax
-$3,279
State Tax
-$1,108
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,390
Net Pay
$36,538
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,692.92 | $44,315.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$273.28 | -$3,279.30 |
| Arizona State Tax (2.5%) | -$92.32 | -$1,107.88 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$228.96 | -$2,747.53 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$53.55 | -$642.57 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,044.81 | $36,537.73 |
Salary Comparison: Flagstaff vs Other Cities
See how Flagstaff's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | $44,315 | 112.8 | $39,286 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Houma, LA | $44,336 | 92.5 | $47,931 |
| Carson City, NV | $44,291 | 102.5 | $43,211 |
| Kingsport, TN | $44,286 | 90.7 | $48,827 |
| Deltona, FL | $44,348 | 95.2 | $46,584 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Flagstaff
Flagstaff's cost of living index is 112.8 (national average = 100). Living in Flagstaff is 12.799999999999997% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$485,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,977
Annual Rent Cost
$23,724
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,538 annual take-home pay in Flagstaff has the purchasing power of approximately $32,392 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $49,987 in Flagstaff to match a $44,315 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Flagstaff
Flagstaff's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $44,315.
Salary Tips for Flagstaff Workers
- Research top industries. Flagstaff's top industries include Technology, Healthcare, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $44,315 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Flagstaff salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Flagstaff-AZ metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Flagstaff indexed at 112.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Flagstaff's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $44,315 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Arizona state income tax (2.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (5.6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Flagstaff: 2.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Healthcare, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arizona.
- Housing context: median home price $485,000, median rent $1,977/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Flagstaff, AZ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Flagstaff unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Flagstaff QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Arizona — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Flagstaff's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Arizona labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Flagstaff, AZ?
The median salary in Flagstaff, AZ is $44,315 per year, or $21 per hour. The average salary is $49,633. This is $15,069 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Flagstaff, AZ?
Flagstaff's cost of living index is 112.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.799999999999997% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $485,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,977.
What are the best industries in Flagstaff?
The top industries in Flagstaff, AZ include Technology, Healthcare, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $44,315.
How does Flagstaff's salary compare to other cities?
Flagstaff's median salary of $44,315 is 25.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 112.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $39,286.
What is the minimum wage in Flagstaff, AZ?
The minimum wage in Flagstaff, AZ is $14.35 per hour. This equals approximately $29,848 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.10 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.