Temple Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Temple, TX: $26.52/hr median hourly wage, $55,154 median annual salary, cost of living index 99.2, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Texas taxes.
Temple Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Temple, TX is $26.52/hr, equivalent to $55,154 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $16.44/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $37.66/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$55,154
$26.52/hr
Cost of Living
99.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Temple, TX Overview
Population
82,073
Median Salary
$55,154
Average Salary
$61,772
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$304,000
Median Rent
$1,257/mo
Job Growth
+1.6%
Sales Tax
6.25%
Temple is located in Texas with a population of 82,073. The median household salary is $55,154 per year ($26.52/hour), which is $4,230 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.6%.
Temple Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Temple, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,154 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 | $34,195 | $16.44/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,154 | $26.52/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $78,319 | $37.66/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $98,174 | $47.21/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.
Temple Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Temple, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,496
$3,874.69/month · $1,788.32/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,788.32 take-home per paycheck after estimated Texas and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$55,154
Federal Tax
-$4,438
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,219
Net Pay
$46,496
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,596.17 | $55,154.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$369.87 | -$4,438.48 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$284.96 | -$3,419.55 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$66.64 | -$799.73 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,874.69 | $46,496.24 |
Salary Comparison: Temple vs Other Cities
See how Temple's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple, TX | $55,154 | 99.2 | $55,599 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $55,200 | 91 | $60,659 |
| Chanhassen, MN | $55,219 | 91.7 | $60,217 |
| Bolingbrook, IL | $55,224 | 92.9 | $59,445 |
| Lake Oswego, OR | $55,073 | 107 | $51,470 |
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 Temple
Temple's cost of living index is 99.2 (national average = 100). Living in Temple is 0.7999999999999972% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$304,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,257
Annual Rent Cost
$15,084
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,496 annual take-home pay in Temple has the purchasing power of approximately $46,871 in an average-cost US area. Your $55,154 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Temple
Temple's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,154.
Salary Tips for Temple 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. Temple's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,154 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 Temple salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Temple-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 Temple indexed at 99.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Temple's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $55,154 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 Temple: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $304,000, median rent $1,257/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Temple, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Temple unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Temple 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. Temple'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 Temple, TX?
The median hourly wage in Temple, TX is $26.52 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $55,154 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $16.44/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $37.66/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Temple, TX?
The median salary in Temple, TX is $55,154 per year, or $26.52 per hour. The average salary is $61,772. This is $4,230 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Temple, TX?
Temple's cost of living index is 99.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 0.7999999999999972% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $304,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,257.
What are the best industries in Temple?
The top industries in Temple, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,154.
How does Temple's salary compare to other cities?
Temple's median salary of $55,154 is 7.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 99.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $55,599.
What is the minimum wage in Temple, TX?
The minimum wage in Temple, 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.