Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Miami, FL

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

Los Angeles, CA
$195,098
/ year
+15%
difference
Miami, FL
$170,070
/ year
Bottom line: Miami offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Miami
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,098โœ“ higher
$170,070
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$126,169โœ“ higher
$109,983
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$301,685โœ“ higher
$262,983
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,488โœ“ higher
$113,469
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,375
$141,725โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
1.20ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,169โœ“ higher
$109,983
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$301,685โœ“ higher
$262,983

What if you move from Los Angeles to Miami?

Gross salary change
$25,028
15% decrease
Take-home change
$17,019
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$350
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Los Angeles, CA$195,098
P10: $126,169Median: $195,098P90: $301,685
Miami, FL$170,070
P10: $109,983Median: $170,070P90: $262,983

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Miami?

The median Data Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $195,098/yr compared to $170,070/yr in Miami, FL. Los Angeles pays 15% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Miami after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $141,375/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,725/yr for Miami. Miami offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Los Angeles vs Miami?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,488/yr, vs $113,469/yr in Miami, FL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.