DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$125,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$116,822 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$102,601 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $138,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $105,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $178,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $203,000 | $222,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,822▲ | $111,290 | +$5,532 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,783 | $127,512▲ | -$17,729 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,601 | $102,832▲ | -$231 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 10,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($116,822 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.