Surprise Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Surprise, AZ: $29.33/hr median hourly wage, $61,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 99, and $14.70/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Arizona taxes.
Surprise Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Surprise, AZ is $29.33/hr, equivalent to $61,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.18/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.65/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.70/hr.
Median Salary
$61,000
$29.33/hr
Cost of Living
99
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.70
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Surprise, AZ Overview
Population
143,148
Median Salary
$61,000
Average Salary
$67,500
Avg Commute
32 min
Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Rent
$1,400/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
7.6%
Surprise is located in Arizona with a population of 143,148. The median household salary is $61,000 per year ($29.33/hour), which is $1,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 32 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Surprise Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Surprise, AZ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,000 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 | $37,820 | $18.18/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,000 | $29.33/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $86,620 | $41.65/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $108,580 | $52.21/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.
Surprise Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Surprise, AZ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$49,669
$4,139.04/month · $1,910.33/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,910.33 take-home per paycheck after estimated Arizona and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$61,000
Federal Tax
-$5,140
State Tax
-$1,525
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,667
Net Pay
$49,669
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,083.33 | $61,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$428.33 | -$5,140.00 |
| Arizona State Tax (2.5%) | -$127.08 | -$1,525.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$315.17 | -$3,782.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$73.71 | -$884.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,139.04 | $49,668.50 |
Salary Comparison: Surprise vs Other Cities
See how Surprise's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise, AZ | $61,000 | 99 | $61,616 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Amherst, MA | $61,029 | 136.9 | $44,579 |
| Amherst, NY | $60,960 | 131 | $46,534 |
| Marlborough, MA | $60,950 | 121.7 | $50,082 |
| Gloucester, MA | $60,925 | 126.6 | $48,124 |
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 Surprise
Surprise's cost of living index is 99 (national average = 100). Living in Surprise is 1% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$355,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Annual Rent Cost
$16,800
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $49,669 annual take-home pay in Surprise has the purchasing power of approximately $50,170 in an average-cost US area. Your $61,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Surprise
Surprise's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,000.
Salary Tips for Surprise Workers
- Research top industries. Surprise's top industries include Healthcare, Retail, Construction. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,000 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 Surprise salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Surprise-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 Surprise indexed at 99.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Surprise's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Arizona state income tax (2.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Surprise: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Retail, Construction — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arizona.
- Housing context: median home price $355,000, median rent $1,400/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Surprise, AZ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Surprise unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Surprise 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. Surprise'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 hourly wage in Surprise, AZ?
The median hourly wage in Surprise, AZ is $29.33 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $61,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.18/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.65/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Surprise, AZ?
The median salary in Surprise, AZ is $61,000 per year, or $29.33 per hour. The average salary is $67,500. This is $1,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Surprise, AZ?
Surprise's cost of living index is 99 (national average = 100), meaning it is 1% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $355,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,400.
What are the best industries in Surprise?
The top industries in Surprise, AZ include Healthcare, Retail, Construction. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,000.
How does Surprise's salary compare to other cities?
Surprise's median salary of $61,000 is 2.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 99), the real purchasing power is approximately $61,616.
What is the minimum wage in Surprise, AZ?
The minimum wage in Surprise, AZ is $14.70 per hour. This equals approximately $30,576 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.45 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.