Social Services · Austin, TX

Social Worker Salary in Austin, TX (2026)

Median Social Worker salary in Austin is approximately $57,800/year — 5.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Austin

$57,800
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$28
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,223
Monthly
$4,817
Annual (gross)
$57,800
vs Texas state average
State avg: $53,400
+$4,400
vs US national
National median: $55,000
+$2,800

After-tax estimate

$45,286
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$57,800
Federal tax (~14%)
−$8,092
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,422
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$45,286
Monthly take-home
$3,774
For exact take-home, use our Austin Paycheck Calculator.
Social Worker salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Austin
Chicago, IL1.05×$57,800+$0
Baltimore, MD1.05×$57,800+$0
Stockton, CA1.05×$57,800+$0
Aurora, CO1.05×$57,800+$0
Hialeah, FL1.05×$57,800+$0

Social Worker salaries in Austin, TX

The estimated median Social Worker salary in Austin, Texas is $57,800/year, working out to approximately $28/hour at full-time, $2,223 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,817/month before taxes. Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($53,400), Austin pays about $4,400 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Austin

Of the gross $57,800, you take home roughly $45,286 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Austin has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,774/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Austin Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Austin pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Austin typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Austin employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Social Worker Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Austin Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Social Worker salary in Austin?
The estimated median Social Worker salary in Austin, Texas is $57,800 per year, or approximately $28/hour at standard full-time. Austin sits 5.0% above the US national average for this role.
Austin vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Austin: $57,800. Texas state average for Social Worker: $53,400. Difference: +$4,400 (8.2%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Austin have a city income tax?
No, Austin has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Austin's cost of living relative to the US average. Austin's multiplier is 1.05× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Social Worker in Austin?
Estimate: $45,286/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Austin local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Austin Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.