Galveston Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Galveston, TX: $26.00/hr median hourly wage, $54,071 median annual salary, cost of living index 87.2, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Texas taxes.
Galveston Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Galveston, TX is $26.00/hr, equivalent to $54,071 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $16.12/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $36.92/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$54,071
$26.00/hr
Cost of Living
87.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Galveston, TX Overview
Population
50,497
Median Salary
$54,071
Average Salary
$60,560
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$276,000
Median Rent
$1,129/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Galveston is located in Texas with a population of 50,497. The median household salary is $54,071 per year ($26.00/hour), which is $5,313 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Galveston Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Galveston, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $54,071 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 | $33,524 | $16.12/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $54,071 | $26.00/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $76,781 | $36.92/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $96,246 | $46.28/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.
Galveston Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Galveston, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,626
$3,802.17/month · $1,754.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,754.85 take-home per paycheck after estimated Texas and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$54,071
Federal Tax
-$4,309
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,136
Net Pay
$45,626
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,505.92 | $54,071.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$359.04 | -$4,308.52 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$279.37 | -$3,352.40 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$65.34 | -$784.03 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,802.17 | $45,626.05 |
Salary Comparison: Galveston vs Other Cities
See how Galveston's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston, TX | $54,071 | 87.2 | $62,008 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Brookhaven, GA | $54,081 | 88.3 | $61,247 |
| Clearfield, UT | $54,036 | 102.2 | $52,873 |
| Castle Rock, CO | $54,114 | 98.6 | $54,882 |
| Southfield, MI | $54,114 | 84.1 | $64,345 |
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 Galveston
Galveston's cost of living index is 87.2 (national average = 100). Living in Galveston is 12.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$276,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,129
Annual Rent Cost
$13,548
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,626 annual take-home pay in Galveston has the purchasing power of approximately $52,323 in an average-cost US area. Your $54,071 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Galveston
Galveston's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $54,071.
Salary Tips for Galveston Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Galveston has a cost of living 12.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $54,071 here has the purchasing power of about $62,008 in an average-cost area.
- No state income tax advantage. Texas has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Galveston's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $54,071 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 Galveston salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Galveston-TX 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 Galveston indexed at 87.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Galveston's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $54,071 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Texas state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Galveston: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $276,000, median rent $1,129/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Galveston, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Galveston unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Galveston QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Texas — 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. Galveston's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Texas 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 hourly wage in Galveston, TX?
The median hourly wage in Galveston, TX is $26.00 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $54,071 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $16.12/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $36.92/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Galveston, TX?
The median salary in Galveston, TX is $54,071 per year, or $26.00 per hour. The average salary is $60,560. This is $5,313 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Galveston, TX?
Galveston's cost of living index is 87.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $276,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,129.
What are the best industries in Galveston?
The top industries in Galveston, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $54,071.
How does Galveston's salary compare to other cities?
Galveston's median salary of $54,071 is 8.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 87.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,008.
What is the minimum wage in Galveston, TX?
The minimum wage in Galveston, TX is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.