DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$116,667 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$104,404 vs $75,696
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $168,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $128,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $218,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,000 | $272,000▲ | -$102,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,667▲ | $90,323 | +$26,344 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,964 | $140,795▲ | -$46,831 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,404▲ | $75,696 | +$28,708 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 12,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $63,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($116,667 vs $90,323 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 9.3%).
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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.