Tucson Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Tucson, AZ: $24.13/hr median hourly wage, $50,200 median annual salary, cost of living index 96, and $14.70/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Arizona taxes.
Tucson Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Tucson, AZ is $24.13/hr, equivalent to $50,200 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.96/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $34.26/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.70/hr.
Median Salary
$50,200
$24.13/hr
Cost of Living
96
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.70
per hour
Unemployment
4%
rate
Tucson, AZ Overview
Population
542,629
Median Salary
$50,200
Average Salary
$56,500
Avg Commute
24 min
Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Rent
$1,100/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
8.7%
Tucson is located in Arizona with a population of 542,629. The median household salary is $50,200 per year ($24.13/hour), which is $9,184 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 24 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Tucson Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Tucson, AZ based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $50,200 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 | $31,124 | $14.96/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $50,200 | $24.13/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $71,284 | $34.26/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $89,356 | $42.95/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.
Tucson Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Tucson, AZ, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$41,261
$3,438.39/month · $1,586.95/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.8%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,586.95 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
$50,200
Federal Tax
-$3,844
State Tax
-$1,255
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,840
Net Pay
$41,261
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,183.33 | $50,200.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$320.33 | -$3,844.00 |
| Arizona State Tax (2.5%) | -$104.58 | -$1,255.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$259.37 | -$3,112.40 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$60.66 | -$727.90 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,438.39 | $41,260.70 |
Salary Comparison: Tucson vs Other Cities
See how Tucson's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $50,200 | 96 | $52,292 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Summerlin South, NV | $50,201 | 101.6 | $49,410 |
| Grapevine, TX | $50,246 | 89.3 | $56,267 |
| Urbandale, IA | $50,146 | 90 | $55,718 |
| Palm Coast, FL | $50,141 | 99.4 | $50,444 |
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 Tucson
Tucson's cost of living index is 96 (national average = 100). Living in Tucson is 4% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Annual Rent Cost
$13,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $41,261 annual take-home pay in Tucson has the purchasing power of approximately $42,980 in an average-cost US area. Your $50,200 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Tucson
Tucson's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $50,200.
Salary Tips for Tucson Workers
- Research top industries. Tucson's top industries include Education, Healthcare, Aerospace. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $50,200 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.
Job Salaries in Tucson, AZ
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Tucson's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Tucson salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Tucson-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 Tucson indexed at 96.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Tucson's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $50,200 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Arizona state income tax (2.5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Tucson: 4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Education, Healthcare, Aerospace — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arizona.
- Housing context: median home price $270,000, median rent $1,100/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Tucson, AZ:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Tucson unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Tucson 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. Tucson'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 Tucson, AZ?
The median hourly wage in Tucson, AZ is $24.13 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $50,200 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.96/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $34.26/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Tucson, AZ?
The median salary in Tucson, AZ is $50,200 per year, or $24.13 per hour. The average salary is $56,500. This is $9,184 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Tucson, AZ?
Tucson's cost of living index is 96 (national average = 100), meaning it is 4% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $270,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,100.
What are the best industries in Tucson?
The top industries in Tucson, AZ include Education, Healthcare, Aerospace. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $50,200.
How does Tucson's salary compare to other cities?
Tucson's median salary of $50,200 is 15.5% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 96), the real purchasing power is approximately $52,292.
What is the minimum wage in Tucson, AZ?
The minimum wage in Tucson, 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.