Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Atlanta, GA

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

Austin, TX
$172,030
/ year
+6%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$162,258
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,030✓ higher
$162,258
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,251✓ higher
$104,931
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,014✓ higher
$250,903
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$114,802✓ higher
$108,642
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$153,598
$154,531✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,251✓ higher
$104,931
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,014✓ higher
$250,903

What if you move from Austin to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$9,772
6% decrease
Take-home change
$6,160
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$933
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$172,030
P10: $111,251Median: $172,030P90: $266,014
Atlanta, GA$162,258
P10: $104,931Median: $162,258P90: $250,903

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Austin or Atlanta?

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,030/yr compared to $162,258/yr in Atlanta, GA. Austin pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $153,598/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,531/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Austin vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $114,802/yr, vs $108,642/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.