Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Austin, TX vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Austin, TX
$159,975
/ year
+17%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$136,621
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,975โœ“ higher
$136,621
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,455โœ“ higher
$88,352
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,373โœ“ higher
$211,260
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,264โœ“ higher
$93,170
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,835โœ“ higher
$140,846
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—
0.97ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,455โœ“ higher
$88,352
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,373โœ“ higher
$211,260

What if you move from Austin to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$23,354
17% decrease
Take-home change
$14,094
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,989
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$159,975
P10: $103,455Median: $159,975P90: $247,373
Phoenix, AZ$136,621
P10: $88,352Median: $136,621P90: $211,260

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Program Manager earn more in Austin or Phoenix?

The median Program Manager salary in Austin, TX is $159,975/yr compared to $136,621/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Austin pays 17% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Program Manager salary worth more in Austin or Phoenix after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $142,835/yr in a median-cost city, vs $140,846/yr for Phoenix. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Austin vs Phoenix?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Austin, TX takes home approximately $107,264/yr, vs $93,170/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.