Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Austin, TX
$172,492
/ year
+15%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$150,231
/ year
Bottom line: Phoenix offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$172,492✓ higher
$150,231
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$111,550✓ higher
$97,154
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$266,728✓ higher
$232,306
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,116✓ higher
$101,384
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,011
$154,877✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$111,550✓ higher
$97,154
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$266,728✓ higher
$232,306

What if you move from Austin to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$22,261
15% decrease
Take-home change
$13,732
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$866
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$172,492
P10: $111,550Median: $172,492P90: $266,728
Phoenix, AZ$150,231
P10: $97,154Median: $150,231P90: $232,306

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $172,492/yr compared to $150,231/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Austin pays 15% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $154,011/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,877/yr for Phoenix. Phoenix offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $115,116/yr, vs $101,384/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.