DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$122,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$112,963 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$98,647 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $138,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,000 | $105,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,000 | $178,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,000 | $222,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 124 | -16 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 0%▲ | +5.49% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,963▲ | $111,290 | +$1,673 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,539 | $127,512▲ | -$20,973 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,647 | $102,832▲ | -$4,185 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 10,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 124), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($112,963 vs $111,290 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
4More DevOps Engineer City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.