DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$112,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$110,891 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$96,571 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $138,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $105,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,000 | $178,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $222,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $110,891 | $111,290▲ | -$399 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,537 | $127,512▲ | -$29,975 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $96,571 | $102,832▲ | -$6,261 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 10,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $26,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($110,891 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.