๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 98 โ€” Below Avg Cost

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

Avg. Salary
$69,265
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$70,968
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$156,485
1BR Rent
$1,635
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Round Rock: itโ€™s not just a quiet Austin suburb anymore. By 2026, itโ€™s a self-contained economic engine where a $102,420 median household income buys a genuinely comfortable life, not just a compromise. The cityโ€™s secret is that its cost of living indexโ€”97.6โ€”is still below the national average, but its wages have quietly caught up to the big-city hustle without the big-city chaos.

Letโ€™s 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. Itโ€™s not cheap, but compare that to Austin proper and youโ€™ll see the savings stack up fast. Youโ€™re not getting gouged, but youโ€™re not getting a steal eitherโ€”itโ€™s 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 youโ€™d expect: software developers ($126k), pharmacists ($135k), and marketing managers ($156k). But hereโ€™s my mild surprise: construction managers are pulling in over $107k, a sign that the cityโ€™s relentless growth is its own best industry. With a 4.0% unemployment rate and nearly half the population holding a bachelorโ€™s, the workforce is skilled and hungry.

The catch? Wages are solid, but theyโ€™re not exploding. The average salary across all roles is $69,265, and while that COL-adjusts to nearly $71k, itโ€™s 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 itโ€™s less forgiving for those in lower-wage service roles. Itโ€™s a place built for stability, not for getting rich quick.

The numbers below tell the rest of the storyโ€”where the money is, and whoโ€™s really making it work here.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Round Rock

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$156,485
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $160,333
โฑ Hourly $75.23/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 263
๐Ÿฅˆ -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$135,050
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $138,371
โฑ Hourly $64.93/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 263
๐Ÿฅ‰ -1% vs national

Software Developer

$126,343
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $129,450
โฑ Hourly $60.74/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 790
4๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$107,430
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $110,072
โฑ Hourly $51.65/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 263
5๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$100,550
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $103,023
โฑ Hourly $48.34/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 263

๐Ÿ“‹ 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.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $156,485
2 Pharmacist $135,050
3 Software Developer $126,343
4 Construction Manager $107,430
5 Project Manager $100,550
6 Physical Therapist $98,992
7 Financial Analyst $98,297
8 Web Developer $92,082
9 Dental Hygienist $86,899
10 Accountant $85,460
11 Registered Nurse $85,450
12 Data Analyst $82,759
13 Insurance Agent $79,364
14 Loan Officer $75,651
15 Police Officer $74,370
16 Human Resources Specialist $67,162
17 Elementary School Teacher $63,211
18 Plumber $62,893
19 Paralegal $62,298
20 Electrician $61,106
21 Real Estate Agent $61,037
22 Graphic Designer $60,898
23 Social Worker $60,421
24 Chef/Head Cook $59,915
25 Firefighter $56,708
26 Carpenter $56,510
27 HVAC Technician $55,269
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $54,226
29 Heavy Truck Driver $52,707
30 Welder $49,232
31 Auto Mechanic $47,972
32 Personal Trainer $46,343
33 Dental Assistant $44,497
34 Veterinary Technician $42,432
35 Pharmacy Technician $40,009
36 Cosmetologist $38,093
37 Medical Assistant $37,994
38 Security Guard $35,879
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,502
40 Nail Technician $33,109

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Round Rock

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,635/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,924/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$375,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$102,420
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
46%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
98
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Round Rock?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Round Rock. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Round Rock Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Round Rock, TX?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Round Rock is $69,265. This figure reflects the city's diverse job market, which includes tech and professional services. The cost of living index is 97.6, slightly below the national average.

What jobs pay the most in Round Rock?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role in Round Rock is Marketing Manager, with an average salary of $156,485. This position significantly outpaces the city's average salary of $69,265. The role's high pay is driven by demand in the region's growing tech and business sectors.

Is Round Rock affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager's salary of $156,485 is more than sufficient for Round Rock. The median household income is $102,420, and the cost of living index is 97.6. A 1BR apartment averages $1,635/month, leaving substantial disposable income on this salary.

How does Round Rock's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Round Rock's cost of living index is 97.6, making it 2.4% cheaper than the national average. This means your paycheck goes further than in many other U.S. cities. For example, a $69,265 average salary has more purchasing power here due to lower expenses.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Round Rock?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary in Round Rock is likely above the median household income of $102,420. This covers housing, utilities, and discretionary spending given the 97.6 COL index. For context, a 1BR rent of $1,635/month requires an annual income of about $65,000 for standard budgeting.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Round Rock Worth It?

As an editor whoโ€™s looked at the numbers, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Round Rock is a solid financial bet if youโ€™re 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 wonโ€™t get rich on average. The clear winner is marketingโ€”top pay at $156,485 and a COL-adjusted $160,333โ€”proof 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 youโ€™re 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 isnโ€™t a gold rush, but for the right worker, itโ€™s a smart, sustainable place to build wealth.

Explore Round Rock Further