DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$140,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$92,105 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$77,191 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000▲ | $138,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000▲ | $105,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000▲ | $178,000 | +$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $227,000▲ | $222,000 | +$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,105 | $111,290▲ | -$19,185 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $127,512▲ | -$10,182 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,191 | $102,832▲ | -$25,641 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 10,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($92,105 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.