DevOps Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
DevOps Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for DevOps Engineers in Washington, DC and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$148,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$97,368 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$84,120 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000 | $162,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000 | $123,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000 | $210,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000 | $262,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $97,368 | $100,000▲ | -$2,632 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $127,863 | $149,688▲ | -$21,825 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,120 | $92,400▲ | -$8,280 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 13,000 | -1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($97,368 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.