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Federal Government Employee Salary in Houston, TX — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Houston's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Federal Government Employee Salary in Houston — Key Numbers

$97,970
Median Salary
$64,640
25th Percentile
$136,350
75th Percentile
$176,750
90th Percentile
National median (Federal Government Employee)$97,000
vs. National median+1.0%
Houston median household income$67,800
vs. City household income+44.5%

Cost of Living in Houston

Cost of Living Index
101(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,262/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio15.5%
Annual rent cost$15,144
Median Home Price$320,000
Home Price / Salary3.3×
20% Down Payment$64,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.3 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Houston

4.2%
Unemployment Rate
7,470,000
Metro Population
29 min
Avg Commute
34.5
Median Age

Houston has a metro population of 7,470,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Houston

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Cost of Living — Houston
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Federal Government Employee Salary in Texas
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Houston

Physician$231,593Chief Executive Officer$212,100Dentist$177,265IT Manager$171,205Marketing Manager$159,196Lawyer$147,218

Federal Government Employee Salary — Other Texas Cities

Dallas, TX$101,850San Antonio, TX$89,240Austin, TX$117,370Fort Worth, TX$96,030El Paso, TX$81,480

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Federal Government Employee make in Houston, TX?

The estimated median salary for a Federal Government Employee in Houston is $97,970 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $97,000 adjusted by Houston's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $64,640 (25th percentile) to $136,350 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $176,750.

Is Houston affordable for a Federal Government Employee?

On a $97,970 annual salary, a Federal Government Employee in Houston would spend approximately 15.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,262/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Houston relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $320,000 is 3.3× the annual salary.

How does a Federal Government Employee's salary compare to Houston's overall income?

Houston's median household income is $67,800. A Federal Government Employee earning the city-adjusted median of $97,970 earns 44.5% more than the typical Houston household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Federal Government Employee — NationalFederal Government Employee in TexasAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.