Salary & Cost of Living in Pharr, TX
Pharr, TX: $28,981 median salary, cost of living index 76.8, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$28,981
$14/hr
Cost of Living
76.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.9%
rate
Pharr, TX Overview
Population
79,112
Median Salary
$28,981
Average Salary
$32,459
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$125,000
Median Rent
$540/mo
Job Growth
+2.8%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Pharr is located in Texas with a population of 79,112. The median household salary is $28,981 per year ($14/hour), which is $30,403 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.8%.
Pharr Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Pharr, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $28,981 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 | $17,968 | $8.64/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $28,981 | $13.93/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $41,153 | $19.78/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $51,586 | $24.80/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.
Pharr Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Pharr, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$25,325
$2,110.39/month · $974.03/biweekly · Effective Rate: 12.6%
Gross Pay
$28,981
Federal Tax
-$1,439
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,217
Net Pay
$25,325
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,415.08 | $28,981.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$119.94 | -$1,439.22 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$149.74 | -$1,796.82 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$35.02 | -$420.22 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,110.39 | $25,324.73 |
Salary Comparison: Pharr vs Other Cities
See how Pharr's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharr, TX | $28,981 | 76.8 | $37,736 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,790 | 84.8 | $35,130 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,791 | 82.8 | $35,979 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,799 | 86.2 | $34,570 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,800 | 84.5 | $35,266 |
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 Pharr
Pharr's cost of living index is 76.8 (national average = 100). Living in Pharr is 23.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$125,000
Median Monthly Rent
$540
Annual Rent Cost
$6,480
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $25,325 annual take-home pay in Pharr has the purchasing power of approximately $32,975 in an average-cost US area. Your $28,981 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Pharr
Pharr's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $28,981.
Salary Tips for Pharr Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Pharr has a cost of living 23.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $28,981 here has the purchasing power of about $37,736 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. Pharr's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $28,981 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 Pharr salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Pharr-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 Pharr indexed at 76.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Pharr's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $28,981 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 Pharr: 3.9%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $125,000, median rent $540/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Pharr, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Pharr unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Pharr 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. Pharr'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 median salary in Pharr, TX?
The median salary in Pharr, TX is $28,981 per year, or $14 per hour. The average salary is $32,459. This is $30,403 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Pharr, TX?
Pharr's cost of living index is 76.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 23.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $125,000 and the median monthly rent is $540.
What are the best industries in Pharr?
The top industries in Pharr, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.9%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $28,981.
How does Pharr's salary compare to other cities?
Pharr's median salary of $28,981 is 51.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 76.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $37,736.
What is the minimum wage in Pharr, TX?
The minimum wage in Pharr, 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.