Salary Comparison

Security 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
$226,240
/ year
+43%
difference
Houston, TX
$157,797
/ 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
$226,240✓ higher
$157,797
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$146,308✓ higher
$102,047
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$349,840✓ higher
$244,005
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$151,665✓ higher
$105,950
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$159,324
$161,017✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$146,308✓ higher
$102,047
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$349,840✓ higher
$244,005

What if you move from Seattle to Houston?

Gross salary change
$68,443
43% decrease
Take-home change
$45,715
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,693
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$226,240
P10: $146,308Median: $226,240P90: $349,840
Houston, TX$157,797
P10: $102,047Median: $157,797P90: $244,005

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Seattle vs New YorkSeattle vs Los AngelesSeattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs PhoenixSeattle vs PhiladelphiaSeattle vs San AntonioAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $226,240/yr compared to $157,797/yr in Houston, TX. Seattle pays 43% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security 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 $159,324/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,017/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $151,665/yr, vs $105,950/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.