DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in San Diego, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$140,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,105 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$77,191 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $140,000 | $162,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,000 | $123,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,000 | $210,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $227,000 | $262,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,105 | $100,000▲ | -$7,895 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $117,330 | $149,688▲ | -$32,358 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $77,191 | $92,400▲ | -$15,209 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 13,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $22,000 more (median: $140,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($92,105 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.