Construction Laborer Salary in McAllen, TX
Construction Laborers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area earn a median $34,460 a year — 27% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,869 take-home, or $2,489 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in McAllen, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,955
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,137
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,869
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Construction Laborer pay by experience in McAllen, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,190 | $12.59 | $23,177 | $1,931 |
| 25th percentile | $29,280 | $14.08 | $25,706 | $2,142 |
| Median (50th) | $34,460 | $16.57 | $29,869 | $2,489 |
| 75th percentile | $37,610 | $18.08 | $32,400 | $2,700 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,020 | $21.64 | $38,354 | $3,196 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,460 buys in McAllen, TX
Prices in McAllen, TX are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 44% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $29,869 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,773 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Construction Laborer jobs are less concentrated in McAllen, TX than nationally (location quotient 0.65), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for construction laborers, adjusted for cost of living
McAllen, TX ranks #264 of 286 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | $64,558 | $67,271 |
| 2 | Trenton, NJ | $71,920 | $57,000 | $55,243 |
| 3 | Kahului, HI | $79,760 | $60,410 | $55,222 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $61,340 | $48,819 | $54,996 |
| 5 | Decatur, IL | $61,270 | $48,522 | $54,876 |
| 6 | St. Louis, MO | $64,500 | $51,912 | $54,593 |
| 7 | Peoria, IL | $62,960 | $49,797 | $54,583 |
| 8 | Jefferson City, MO | $58,220 | $47,161 | $53,607 |
| 264 | McAllen, TX | $34,460 | $29,869 | $34,773 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 286 metros →
Construction Laborer salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Beaumont, TX — $44,240
- Sherman, TX — $43,500
- Corpus Christi, TX — $42,440
- Austin, TX — $44,000
- Texarkana, TX — $36,360
- Longview, TX — $37,840
- Dallas, TX — $43,960
- Abilene, TX — $38,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in McAllen, TX?
The median construction laborer salary in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area is $34,460 a year, or about $16.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,280 and $37,610.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in McAllen, TX?
On the median $34,460 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $29,869 a year ($2,489 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is McAllen, TX a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 27% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,773 would in a typical U.S. city. McAllen, TX ranks #264 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in McAllen, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in McAllen, TX is $847 a month ($1,060 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.