DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$98,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$112,644 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$99,920 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $98,000 | $138,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $105,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,000 | $178,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $159,000 | $222,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,644▲ | $111,290 | +$1,354 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $86,930 | $127,512▲ | -$40,582 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,920 | $102,832▲ | -$2,912 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 10,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $40,000 more (median: $98,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($112,644 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.