Salaries & Take-Home Pay in Austin, Texas
Austin, the state capital, is the tech powerhouse of Texas. Silicon Hills attracts major tech companies and startups alike, driving some of the highest average salaries in the state.
The average salary in Austin is approximately $82,000/year. Because Texas has no state income tax, Austin workers keep significantly more of their paycheck than counterparts in high-tax states. On the average Austin salary, a single filer owes an estimated $9,210 in federal income tax (11.2% effective rate) plus $5,084 Social Security and $1,189 Medicare — a combined total of ~$15,483.
This leaves an estimated annual take-home of $66,517 — approximately $5,543/month or $2,558 per bi-weekly paycheck (before optional 401k and health insurance deductions).
Typical Austin Salary Breakdown (single filer, no extra deductions)
Industries & Employers in Austin
Austin's economy is driven by Technology, Government, Education, Music & Entertainment. Major employers include Dell Technologies, Apple, Tesla, Oracle, IBM, University of Texas. These industries shape both the overall compensation landscape and the types of benefits packages — 401(k) matching, employer health insurance, stock options — available to workers.
Cost of Living in Austin
Austin's cost of living is high — above the national average. While Austin has a higher cost of living, the complete absence of Texas state income tax provides meaningful savings versus similarly expensive cities in California (up to 13.3% state tax) or New York (up to 10.9%). Your $66,517 take-home pays reflects this tax advantage.