Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Los Angeles, CA
$201,403
/ year
+30%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$154,890
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$201,403โœ“ higher
$154,890
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$130,246โœ“ higher
$100,167
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$311,434โœ“ higher
$239,510
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$134,776โœ“ higher
$104,196
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,944โœ“ higher
$143,417
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
1.08ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,246โœ“ higher
$100,167
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$311,434โœ“ higher
$239,510

What if you move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$46,513
30% decrease
Take-home change
$30,580
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,527
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$201,403
P10: $130,246Median: $201,403P90: $311,434
Philadelphia, PA$154,890
P10: $100,167Median: $154,890P90: $239,510

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a DevOps Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Philadelphia?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $201,403/yr compared to $154,890/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Los Angeles pays 30% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $145,944/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,417/yr for Philadelphia. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Los Angeles vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $134,776/yr, vs $104,196/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.