DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$145,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$83,815 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,243 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000▲ | $138,000 | +$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,000▲ | $105,000 | +$5,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000▲ | $178,000 | +$10,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,000▲ | $222,000 | +$13,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $83,815 | $111,290▲ | -$27,475 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,520 | $127,512▲ | -$5,992 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,243 | $102,832▲ | -$32,589 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 10,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $7,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($83,815 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.