Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Austin, TX
$159,546
/ year
-1%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$160,674
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,546
$160,674✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,178
$103,907✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$246,710
$248,454✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,006
$107,686✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,452✓ higher
$116,430
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,178
$103,907✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$246,710
$248,454✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$1,128
1% increase
Take-home change
+$680
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$26,022
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$159,546
P10: $103,178Median: $159,546P90: $246,710
Los Angeles, CA$160,674
P10: $103,907Median: $160,674P90: $248,454

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Austin or Los Angeles?

The median Program Manager salary in Austin, TX is $159,546/yr compared to $160,674/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager salary worth more in Austin or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $142,452/yr in a median-cost city, vs $116,430/yr for Los Angeles. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Austin vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Austin, TX takes home approximately $107,006/yr, vs $107,686/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.