Salaries in Round Rock, TX
What every job actually pays โ cost-of-living adjusted
Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data
Hereโs the thing about Round Rock: itโs not just a quiet Austin suburb anymore. By 2026, itโs a self-contained economic engine where a $102,420 median household income buys a genuinely comfortable life, not just a compromise. The cityโs secret is that its cost of living indexโ97.6โis still below the national average, but its wages have quietly caught up to the big-city hustle without the big-city chaos.
Letโs talk purchasing power. That sub-100 COL index means your dollar stretches further here than in most places. For a median household, that $102k feels more like $105k in real terms. The real test is rent: a 1-bedroom at $1,635 a month. Itโs not cheap, but compare that to Austin proper and youโll see the savings stack up fast. Youโre not getting gouged, but youโre not getting a steal eitherโitโs a fair trade for stability.
Round Rock thrives on a mix of tech spillover, healthcare, and good old-fashioned construction. The presence of giants like Dell and a growing cluster of medical centers means the top earners are who youโd expect: software developers ($126k), pharmacists ($135k), and marketing managers ($156k). But hereโs my mild surprise: construction managers are pulling in over $107k, a sign that the cityโs relentless growth is its own best industry. With a 4.0% unemployment rate and nearly half the population holding a bachelorโs, the workforce is skilled and hungry.
The catch? Wages are solid, but theyโre not exploding. The average salary across all roles is $69,265, and while that COL-adjusts to nearly $71k, itโs not keeping pace with the rapid gentrification of the broader Austin metro. This city is a fantastic fit for mid-career professionals in tech or healthcare who want a house and a yard, but itโs less forgiving for those in lower-wage service roles. Itโs a place built for stability, not for getting rich quick.
The numbers below tell the rest of the storyโwhere the money is, and whoโs really making it work here.
๐ Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Round Rock
Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.
Marketing Manager
Pharmacist
Software Developer
Construction Manager
Project Manager
๐ Complete Salary Guide โ All 40 Occupations in Round Rock
COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (98/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.
๐๏ธ Living Costs in Round Rock
๐งฎ Can You Afford to Live in Round Rock?
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โ Round Rock Salary FAQ
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๐ Editor's Verdict: Is Round Rock Worth It?
As an editor whoโs looked at the numbers, hereโs my honest verdict: Round Rock is a solid financial bet if youโre intentional. With a cost-of-living index of 97.6 and average rent at $1,635, the $69,265 average salary stretches further than in Austin, but you wonโt get rich on average. The clear winner is marketingโtop pay at $156,485 and a COL-adjusted $160,333โproof that specialized, revenue-driving roles win here. Tech benefits from Austin spillover without the price tag; healthcare and trades see steady demand and manageable living costs. If youโre considering the move, my advice: secure the job before you sign a lease. Remote-friendly roles can inflate budgets, and local salaries have a ceiling. Round Rock isnโt a gold rush, but for the right worker, itโs a smart, sustainable place to build wealth.