Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Atlanta, GA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Austin, TX
$155,057
/ year
+9%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$141,734
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,057✓ higher
$141,734
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,275✓ higher
$91,659
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$239,768✓ higher
$219,167
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,296✓ higher
$96,256
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,444✓ higher
$134,985
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,275✓ higher
$91,659
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$239,768✓ higher
$219,167

What if you move from Austin to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$13,323
9% decrease
Take-home change
$8,040
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,459
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$155,057
P10: $100,275Median: $155,057P90: $239,768
Atlanta, GA$141,734
P10: $91,659Median: $141,734P90: $219,167

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Austin or Atlanta?

The median Data Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $155,057/yr compared to $141,734/yr in Atlanta, GA. Austin pays 9% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $138,444/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,985/yr for Atlanta. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Austin vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $104,296/yr, vs $96,256/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.