DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$92,000 vs $168,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$110,843 vs $90,323
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$102,419 vs $75,696
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $92,000 | $168,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $128,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,000 | $218,000▲ | -$99,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $149,000 | $272,000▲ | -$123,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,843▲ | $90,323 | +$20,520 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $85,008 | $140,795▲ | -$55,787 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,419▲ | $75,696 | +$26,723 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 12,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $76,000 more (median: $92,000 vs $168,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($110,843 vs $90,323 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.