Salary & Cost of Living in Port Arthur, TX
Port Arthur, TX: $54,163 median salary, cost of living index 92, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$54,163
$26/hr
Cost of Living
92
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Port Arthur, TX Overview
Population
54,010
Median Salary
$54,163
Average Salary
$60,663
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Rent
$1,307/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Port Arthur is located in Texas with a population of 54,010. The median household salary is $54,163 per year ($26/hour), which is $5,221 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Port Arthur Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Port Arthur, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $54,163 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 | $33,581 | $16.14/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $54,163 | $26.04/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $76,911 | $36.98/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $96,410 | $46.35/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.
Port Arthur Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Port Arthur, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,558
$3,796.54/month · $1,752.25/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.9%
Gross Pay
$54,163
Federal Tax
-$4,461
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,143
Net Pay
$45,558
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,513.58 | $54,163.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$371.75 | -$4,461.06 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$279.84 | -$3,358.11 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$65.45 | -$785.36 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,796.54 | $45,558.47 |
Salary Comparison: Port Arthur vs Other Cities
See how Port Arthur's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur, TX | $54,163 | 92 | $58,873 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hurst, TX | $54,135 | 87.1 | $62,153 |
| Long Beach, NY | $54,125 | 127.3 | $42,518 |
| American Fork, UT | $54,209 | 100 | $54,209 |
| Castle Rock, CO | $54,114 | 98.6 | $54,882 |
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 Port Arthur
Port Arthur's cost of living index is 92 (national average = 100). Living in Port Arthur is 8% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,307
Annual Rent Cost
$15,684
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,558 annual take-home pay in Port Arthur has the purchasing power of approximately $49,520 in an average-cost US area. Your $54,163 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Port Arthur
Port Arthur's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $54,163.
Salary Tips for Port Arthur Workers
- 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. Port Arthur's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $54,163 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 Port Arthur salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Port Arthur-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 Port Arthur indexed at 92.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Port Arthur's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $54,163 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 Port Arthur: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $320,000, median rent $1,307/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Port Arthur, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Port Arthur unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Port Arthur 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. Port Arthur'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 Port Arthur, TX?
The median salary in Port Arthur, TX is $54,163 per year, or $26 per hour. The average salary is $60,663. This is $5,221 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Port Arthur, TX?
Port Arthur's cost of living index is 92 (national average = 100), meaning it is 8% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $320,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,307.
What are the best industries in Port Arthur?
The top industries in Port Arthur, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $54,163.
How does Port Arthur's salary compare to other cities?
Port Arthur's median salary of $54,163 is 8.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 92), the real purchasing power is approximately $58,873.
What is the minimum wage in Port Arthur, TX?
The minimum wage in Port Arthur, 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.