DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$111,290 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$102,832 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $148,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,000 | $112,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $178,000 | $192,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $222,000 | $240,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,290▲ | $91,358 | +$19,932 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $127,512 | $129,914▲ | -$2,402 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,832▲ | $80,194 | +$22,638 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 10,000 | — |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($111,290 vs $91,358 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.