Salary Comparison

Data 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
$181,391
/ year
+17%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$154,948
/ year
Bottom line: Boston 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
$181,391✓ higher
$154,948
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$117,305✓ higher
$100,204
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$280,489✓ higher
$239,600
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$121,167✓ higher
$104,231
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$129,565✓ higher
$112,281
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$117,305✓ higher
$100,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$280,489✓ higher
$239,600

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$26,443
17% decrease
Take-home change
$16,936
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$17,284
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$181,391
P10: $117,305Median: $181,391P90: $280,489
Los Angeles, CA$154,948
P10: $100,204Median: $154,948P90: $239,600

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs ChicagoBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs PhiladelphiaBoston vs San AntonioAll Data Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $181,391/yr compared to $154,948/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data 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 $129,565/yr in a median-cost city, vs $112,281/yr for Los Angeles. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $121,167/yr, vs $104,231/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.