Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Austin, TX
$155,473
/ year
-20%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,098
/ 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
Austin
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,473
$195,098✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,544
$126,169✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,412
$301,685✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,547
$130,488✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$138,815
$141,375✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,544
$126,169✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,412
$301,685✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$39,625
20% increase
Take-home change
+$25,941
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,560
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$155,473
P10: $100,544Median: $155,473P90: $240,412
Los Angeles, CA$195,098
P10: $126,169Median: $195,098P90: $301,685

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Austin or Los Angeles?

The median Data Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $155,473/yr compared to $195,098/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $138,815/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,375/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $104,547/yr, vs $130,488/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.