Salary Comparison

AI Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$258,614
/ year
+9%
difference
Boston, MA
$237,344
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$258,614✓ higher
$237,344
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$167,244✓ higher
$153,489
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$399,901✓ higher
$367,011
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$172,858✓ higher
$159,033
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$153,937
$169,531✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$167,244✓ higher
$153,489
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$399,901✓ higher
$367,011

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$21,270
9% decrease
Take-home change
$13,825
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$15,594
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

San Francisco, CA$258,614
P10: $167,244Median: $258,614P90: $399,901
Boston, MA$237,344
P10: $153,489Median: $237,344P90: $367,011

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a AI Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median AI Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $258,614/yr compared to $237,344/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 9% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $153,937/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,531/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a AI Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $172,858/yr, vs $159,033/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.