Salary Comparison

AI Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Boston, MA
$254,233
/ year
0%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$254,870
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$254,233
$254,870✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$164,411
$164,823✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$393,126
$394,111✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$170,011
$170,425✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$181,595
$184,688✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$164,411
$164,823✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$393,126
$394,111✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$637
0% increase
Take-home change
+$414
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,093
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

Boston, MA$254,233
P10: $164,411Median: $254,233P90: $393,126
Los Angeles, CA$254,870
P10: $164,823Median: $254,870P90: $394,111

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a AI Engineer earn more in Boston or Los Angeles?

The median AI Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $254,233/yr compared to $254,870/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 0% more in gross terms.

▶Is a AI Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $181,595/yr in a median-cost city, vs $184,688/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a AI Engineer in Boston vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a AI Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $170,011/yr, vs $170,425/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.