Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$95,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$76,613 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$70,790 vs $66,163
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $116,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $89,320▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $148,480▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $185,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $76,613▲ | $71,605 | +$5,008 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $87,780 | $107,184▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,790▲ | $66,163 | +$4,627 |
| Total Employment | 57,000 | 87,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($76,613 vs $71,605 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.