McAllen Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
McAllen, TX: $17.25/hr median hourly wage, $35,879 median annual salary, cost of living index 80.2, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Texas taxes.
McAllen Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in McAllen, TX is $17.25/hr, equivalent to $35,879 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $10.70/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $24.49/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$35,879
$17.25/hr
Cost of Living
80.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
McAllen, TX Overview
Population
142,210
Median Salary
$35,879
Average Salary
$40,184
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Rent
$771/mo
Job Growth
+0.6%
Sales Tax
6.25%
McAllen is located in Texas with a population of 142,210. The median household salary is $35,879 per year ($17.25/hour), which is $23,505 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.6%.
McAllen Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in McAllen, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,879 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 | $22,245 | $10.70/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,879 | $17.25/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,948 | $24.49/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,865 | $30.71/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.
McAllen Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in McAllen, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$31,009
$2,584.06/month · $1,192.65/biweekly · Effective Rate: 13.6%
Gross Pay
$35,879
Federal Tax
-$2,125
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,745
Net Pay
$31,009
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,989.92 | $35,879.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$177.12 | -$2,125.48 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$185.37 | -$2,224.50 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.35 | -$520.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,584.06 | $31,008.78 |
Salary Comparison: McAllen vs Other Cities
See how McAllen's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TX | $35,879 | 80.2 | $44,737 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Chico, CA | $35,828 | 112.3 | $31,904 |
| Yakima, WA | $35,822 | 92.5 | $38,726 |
| Yuma, AZ | $35,820 | 93.5 | $38,310 |
| Sunrise Manor, NV | $35,939 | 95.8 | $37,515 |
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 McAllen
McAllen's cost of living index is 80.2 (national average = 100). Living in McAllen is 19.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$175,000
Median Monthly Rent
$771
Annual Rent Cost
$9,252
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $31,009 annual take-home pay in McAllen has the purchasing power of approximately $38,664 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,879 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in McAllen
McAllen's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,879.
Salary Tips for McAllen Workers
- Your salary goes further here. McAllen has a cost of living 19.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $35,879 here has the purchasing power of about $44,737 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. McAllen's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,879 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 McAllen salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the McAllen-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 McAllen indexed at 80.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of McAllen's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,879 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 McAllen: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $175,000, median rent $771/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for McAllen, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — McAllen unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — McAllen 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. McAllen'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 McAllen, TX?
The median hourly wage in McAllen, TX is $17.25 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $35,879 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $10.70/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $24.49/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in McAllen, TX?
The median salary in McAllen, TX is $35,879 per year, or $17.25 per hour. The average salary is $40,184. This is $23,505 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in McAllen, TX?
McAllen's cost of living index is 80.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $175,000 and the median monthly rent is $771.
What are the best industries in McAllen?
The top industries in McAllen, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,879.
How does McAllen's salary compare to other cities?
McAllen's median salary of $35,879 is 39.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 80.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,737.
What is the minimum wage in McAllen, TX?
The minimum wage in McAllen, 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.