DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Columbus, OH vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$110,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$120,879 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$107,236 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $162,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,000 | $123,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $210,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $178,000 | $262,000▲ | -$84,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $120,879▲ | $100,000 | +$20,879 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,585 | $149,688▲ | -$52,103 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $107,236▲ | $92,400 | +$14,836 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 13,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $52,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($120,879 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.