Salary & Cost of Living in The Woodlands, TX
The Woodlands, TX: $56,245 median salary, cost of living index 90.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$56,245
$27/hr
Cost of Living
90.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
The Woodlands, TX Overview
Population
116,278
Median Salary
$56,245
Average Salary
$62,994
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$288,000
Median Rent
$1,210/mo
Job Growth
+2.1%
Sales Tax
6.25%
The Woodlands is located in Texas with a population of 116,278. The median household salary is $56,245 per year ($27/hour), which is $3,139 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.1%.
The Woodlands Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in The Woodlands, TX based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $56,245 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 | $34,872 | $16.76/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $56,245 | $27.04/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $79,868 | $38.40/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $100,116 | $48.13/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.
The Woodlands Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in The Woodlands, TX, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$47,231
$3,935.95/month · $1,816.59/biweekly · Effective Rate: 16.0%
Gross Pay
$56,245
Federal Tax
-$4,711
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,303
Net Pay
$47,231
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,687.08 | $56,245.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$392.58 | -$4,710.90 |
| Texas State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$290.60 | -$3,487.19 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$67.96 | -$815.55 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,935.95 | $47,231.36 |
Salary Comparison: The Woodlands vs Other Cities
See how The Woodlands's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands, TX | $56,245 | 90.5 | $62,149 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Torrington, CT | $56,255 | 104.2 | $53,988 |
| Stonecrest, GA | $56,132 | 94.4 | $59,462 |
| The Colony, TX | $56,103 | 86.8 | $64,635 |
| Mechanicsville, VA | $56,089 | 106 | $52,914 |
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 The Woodlands
The Woodlands's cost of living index is 90.5 (national average = 100). Living in The Woodlands is 9.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$288,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,210
Annual Rent Cost
$14,520
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $47,231 annual take-home pay in The Woodlands has the purchasing power of approximately $52,189 in an average-cost US area. Your $56,245 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in The Woodlands
The Woodlands's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $56,245.
Salary Tips for The Woodlands 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. The Woodlands's top industries include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $56,245 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 The Woodlands salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the The Woodlands-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 The Woodlands indexed at 90.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of The Woodlands's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $56,245 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 The Woodlands: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Texas.
- Housing context: median home price $288,000, median rent $1,210/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for The Woodlands, TX:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — The Woodlands unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — The Woodlands 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. The Woodlands'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 The Woodlands, TX?
The median salary in The Woodlands, TX is $56,245 per year, or $27 per hour. The average salary is $62,994. This is $3,139 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in The Woodlands, TX?
The Woodlands's cost of living index is 90.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 9.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $288,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,210.
What are the best industries in The Woodlands?
The top industries in The Woodlands, TX include Energy, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.1% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $56,245.
How does The Woodlands's salary compare to other cities?
The Woodlands's median salary of $56,245 is 5.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,149.
What is the minimum wage in The Woodlands, TX?
The minimum wage in The Woodlands, 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.