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