DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$138,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$111,290 vs $103,125
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$102,832 vs $91,095
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000▲ | $132,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,000▲ | $100,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $178,000▲ | $172,000 | +$6,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $222,000▲ | $215,000 | +$7,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,290▲ | $103,125 | +$8,165 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $127,512▲ | $116,601 | +$10,911 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,832▲ | $91,095 | +$11,737 |
| Total Employment | 10,000 | 8,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($111,290 vs $103,125 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.