Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Amsterdam vs Austin, TX

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

Amsterdam
$181,608
/ year
+6%
difference
Austin, TX
$172,030
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power despite Amsterdam paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Amsterdam
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$181,608โœ“ higher
$172,030
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$117,445โœ“ higher
$111,251
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,825โœ“ higher
$266,014
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,597
$114,802โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$139,698
$153,598โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.30ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$108,049
$111,251โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$258,359
$266,014โœ“ higher

What if you move from Amsterdam to Austin?

Gross salary change
$9,578
6% decrease
Take-home change
+$2,205
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$13,900
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

Amsterdam$181,608
P10: $108,049Median: $181,608P90: $258,359
Austin, TX$172,030
P10: $111,251Median: $172,030P90: $266,014

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Security Engineer earn more in Amsterdam or Austin?

The median Security Engineer salary in Amsterdam is โ‚ฌ167,079/yr compared to $172,030/yr in Austin, TX. Amsterdam pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security Engineer salary worth more in Amsterdam or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Amsterdam salary has the purchasing power of $139,698/yr in a median-cost city, vs $153,598/yr for Austin. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Amsterdam vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Amsterdam takes home approximately $112,597/yr, vs $114,802/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.