DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Detroit, MI vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Detroit, MI and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$105,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$117,978 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$104,379 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $162,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $123,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $210,000▲ | -$74,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,000 | $262,000▲ | -$92,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $117,978▲ | $100,000 | +$17,978 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $92,897 | $149,688▲ | -$56,791 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,379▲ | $92,400 | +$11,979 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 13,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $57,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($117,978 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.