Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$82,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$73,214 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$64,504 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $95,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,140 | $73,150▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,960 | $121,600▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $131,200 | $152,000▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65% | 0%▲ | +4.65% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $73,214 | $76,613▲ | -$3,399 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,245 | $87,780▲ | -$15,535 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,504 | $70,790▲ | -$6,286 |
| Total Employment | 27,000 | 57,000 | -30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($73,214 vs $76,613 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.