DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Atlanta, GA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$122,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$112,963 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$98,647 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $162,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,000 | $123,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $158,000 | $210,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,000 | $262,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 0%▲ | +5.49% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,963▲ | $100,000 | +$12,963 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $106,539 | $149,688▲ | -$43,149 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,647▲ | $92,400 | +$6,247 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 13,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $40,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($112,963 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.