DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Phoenix, AZ and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$120,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$116,505 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$104,959 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $138,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $105,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $178,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $222,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% | 0%▲ | +2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,505▲ | $111,290 | +$5,215 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,108 | $127,512▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,959▲ | $102,832 | +$2,127 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 10,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $18,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($116,505 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.