Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Houston, TX

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

Seattle, WA
$151,026
/ year
+44%
difference
Houston, TX
$105,114
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Seattle paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,026✓ higher
$105,114
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$97,668✓ higher
$67,977
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$233,535✓ higher
$162,540
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$101,864✓ higher
$74,156
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,356
$107,259✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$97,668✓ higher
$67,977
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$233,535✓ higher
$162,540

What if you move from Seattle to Houston?

Gross salary change
$45,912
44% decrease
Take-home change
$27,708
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$903
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

Seattle, WA$151,026
P10: $97,668Median: $151,026P90: $233,535
Houston, TX$105,114
P10: $67,977Median: $105,114P90: $162,540

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Seattle or Houston?

The median Network Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $151,026/yr compared to $105,114/yr in Houston, TX. Seattle pays 44% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Seattle or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $106,356/yr in a median-cost city, vs $107,259/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Seattle vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $101,864/yr, vs $74,156/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.