DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$105,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$116,667 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$104,404 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $138,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $105,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $178,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,000 | $222,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15% | 0%▲ | +3.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,667▲ | $111,290 | +$5,377 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,964 | $127,512▲ | -$33,548 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,404▲ | $102,832 | +$1,572 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 10,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $33,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($116,667 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.