DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$122,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$112,963 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$98,647 vs $75,696
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $168,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,000 | $128,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,000 | $218,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,000 | $272,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,963▲ | $90,323 | +$22,640 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,539 | $140,795▲ | -$34,256 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,647▲ | $75,696 | +$22,951 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 12,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $46,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($112,963 vs $90,323 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
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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.