Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Austin, TX
$117,860
/ year
+6%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$110,717
/ 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
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$117,860✓ higher
$110,717
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$76,220✓ higher
$71,600
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$182,250✓ higher
$171,204
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$81,848✓ higher
$77,537
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$105,232✓ higher
$102,516
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,220✓ higher
$71,600
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$182,250✓ higher
$171,204

What if you move from Austin to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$7,143
6% decrease
Take-home change
$4,311
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,716
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$117,860
P10: $76,220Median: $117,860P90: $182,250
Philadelphia, PA$110,717
P10: $71,600Median: $110,717P90: $171,204

More Network Engineer salary comparisons

Austin vs New YorkAustin vs Los AngelesAustin vs ChicagoAustin vs HoustonAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs San AntonioAll Network Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Austin or Philadelphia?

The median Network Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $117,860/yr compared to $110,717/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Austin pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $105,232/yr in a median-cost city, vs $102,516/yr for Philadelphia. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Austin vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $81,848/yr, vs $77,537/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.