Tempe Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Tempe, AZ: $29.81/hr median hourly wage, $62,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 105, and $14.70/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Arizona taxes.
Tempe Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Tempe, AZ is $29.81/hr, equivalent to $62,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.48/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $42.33/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.70/hr.
Median Salary
$62,000
$29.81/hr
Cost of Living
105
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.70
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Tempe, AZ Overview
Population
180,587
Median Salary
$62,000
Average Salary
$69,000
Avg Commute
25 min
Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Job Growth
+2.6%
Sales Tax
8.1%
Tempe is located in Arizona with a population of 180,587. The median household salary is $62,000 per year ($29.81/hour), which is $2,616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 25 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.6%.
Tempe Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Tempe, AZ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $62,000 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 | $38,440 | $18.48/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $62,000 | $29.81/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $88,040 | $42.33/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $110,360 | $53.06/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.
Tempe Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Tempe, AZ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$50,447
$4,203.92/month · $1,940.27/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,940.27 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
$62,000
Federal Tax
-$5,260
State Tax
-$1,550
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,743
Net Pay
$50,447
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,166.67 | $62,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$438.33 | -$5,260.00 |
| Arizona State Tax (2.5%) | -$129.17 | -$1,550.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$320.33 | -$3,844.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$74.92 | -$899.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,203.92 | $50,447.00 |
Salary Comparison: Tempe vs Other Cities
See how Tempe's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempe, AZ | $62,000 | 105 | $59,048 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Wilmington, DE | $62,000 | 105 | $59,048 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $62,000 | 118 | $52,542 |
| Miramar, FL | $62,000 | 112 | $55,357 |
| Des Moines, IA | $62,000 | 90 | $68,889 |
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 Tempe
Tempe's cost of living index is 105 (national average = 100). Living in Tempe is 5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$390,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Annual Rent Cost
$18,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $50,447 annual take-home pay in Tempe has the purchasing power of approximately $48,045 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $65,100 in Tempe to match a $62,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Tempe
Tempe's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $62,000.
Salary Tips for Tempe Workers
- Research top industries. Tempe's top industries include Education, Technology, Finance. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $62,000 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 Tempe salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Tempe-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 Tempe indexed at 105.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Tempe's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $62,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Arizona state income tax (2.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.1%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Tempe: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Education, Technology, Finance — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arizona.
- Housing context: median home price $390,000, median rent $1,500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Tempe, AZ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Tempe unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Tempe 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. Tempe'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 Tempe, AZ?
The median hourly wage in Tempe, AZ is $29.81 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $62,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.48/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $42.33/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Tempe, AZ?
The median salary in Tempe, AZ is $62,000 per year, or $29.81 per hour. The average salary is $69,000. This is $2,616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Tempe, AZ?
Tempe's cost of living index is 105 (national average = 100), meaning it is 5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $390,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,500.
What are the best industries in Tempe?
The top industries in Tempe, AZ include Education, Technology, Finance. The city has a job growth rate of 2.6% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $62,000.
How does Tempe's salary compare to other cities?
Tempe's median salary of $62,000 is 4.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 105), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,048.
What is the minimum wage in Tempe, AZ?
The minimum wage in Tempe, 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.