Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$116,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$71,605 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$66,163 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000▲ | $95,000 | +$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320▲ | $73,150 | +$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480▲ | $121,600 | +$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600▲ | $152,000 | +$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,605 | $76,613▲ | -$5,008 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $107,184▲ | $87,780 | +$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $66,163 | $70,790▲ | -$4,627 |
| Total Employment | 87,000 | 57,000 | +30,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $21,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($71,605 vs $76,613 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.