DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Raleigh, NC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$120,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$116,505 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$102,806 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $120,000 | $162,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $91,000 | $123,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 | $210,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,000 | $262,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,505▲ | $100,000 | +$16,505 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,890 | $149,688▲ | -$43,798 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,806▲ | $92,400 | +$10,406 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 13,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $42,000 more (median: $120,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($116,505 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.