DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$148,000 vs $138,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$97,368 vs $111,290
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$84,120 vs $102,832
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000▲ | $138,000 | +$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $105,000 | +$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $178,000 | +$14,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $222,000 | +$18,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,368 | $111,290▲ | -$13,922 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $127,863▲ | $127,512 | +$351 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,120 | $102,832▲ | -$18,712 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 10,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $10,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $138,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($97,368 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.