DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$110,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$120,879 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$107,236 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $138,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,000 | $105,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $178,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $222,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $120,879▲ | $111,290 | +$9,589 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,585 | $127,512▲ | -$29,927 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,236▲ | $102,832 | +$4,404 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 10,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $28,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($120,879 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.