Salary Comparison

Site Reliability 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
$223,170
/ year
+42%
difference
Houston, TX
$156,642
/ 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
$223,170✓ higher
$156,642
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$144,323✓ higher
$101,300
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$345,093✓ higher
$242,219
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$149,577✓ higher
$105,253
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$157,162
$159,839✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$144,323✓ higher
$101,300
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$345,093✓ higher
$242,219

What if you move from Seattle to Houston?

Gross salary change
$66,528
42% decrease
Take-home change
$44,324
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,677
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$223,170
P10: $144,323Median: $223,170P90: $345,093
Houston, TX$156,642
P10: $101,300Median: $156,642P90: $242,219

More Site Reliability Engineer salary comparisons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Site Reliability Engineer earn more in Seattle or Houston?

The median Site Reliability Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $223,170/yr compared to $156,642/yr in Houston, TX. Seattle pays 42% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Site Reliability 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 $157,162/yr in a median-cost city, vs $159,839/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Site Reliability Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $149,577/yr, vs $105,253/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.