Salary Comparison

DevOps Engineer Salary:
Washington DC, DC vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Washington DC, DC
$208,169
/ year
+3%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$201,403
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Washington DC
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$208,169✓ higher
$201,403
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$134,622✓ higher
$130,246
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$321,897✓ higher
$311,434
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$139,377✓ higher
$134,776
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$146,598✓ higher
$145,944
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$134,622✓ higher
$130,246
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$321,897✓ higher
$311,434

What if you move from Washington DC to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$6,766
3% decrease
Take-home change
$4,601
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$654
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

Washington DC, DC$208,169
P10: $134,622Median: $208,169P90: $321,897
Los Angeles, CA$201,403
P10: $130,246Median: $201,403P90: $311,434

More DevOps Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a DevOps Engineer earn more in Washington DC or Los Angeles?

The median DevOps Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC is $208,169/yr compared to $201,403/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Washington DC pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a DevOps Engineer salary worth more in Washington DC or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Washington DC salary has the purchasing power of $146,598/yr in a median-cost city, vs $145,944/yr for Los Angeles. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a DevOps Engineer in Washington DC vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a DevOps Engineer in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $139,377/yr, vs $134,776/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.