Network Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Network Engineer Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Network Engineers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$103,000 vs $95,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$67,763 vs $76,613
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$58,543 vs $70,790
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $103,000▲ | $95,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,310▲ | $73,150 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,840▲ | $121,600 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,800▲ | $152,000 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,763 | $76,613▲ | -$8,850 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,986▲ | $87,780 | +$1,206 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $58,543 | $70,790▲ | -$12,247 |
| Total Employment | 67,500 | 57,000 | +10,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $8,000 more (median: $103,000 vs $95,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($67,763 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.