Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
New York, NY vs Los Angeles, CA

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

New York, NY
$198,846
/ year
+2%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,098
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
New York
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$198,846✓ higher
$195,098
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$128,593✓ higher
$126,169
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$307,480✓ higher
$301,685
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$133,037✓ higher
$130,488
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,135
$141,375✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$128,593✓ higher
$126,169
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$307,480✓ higher
$301,685

What if you move from New York to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$3,748
2% decrease
Take-home change
$2,549
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,240
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

New York, NY$198,846
P10: $128,593Median: $198,846P90: $307,480
Los Angeles, CA$195,098
P10: $126,169Median: $195,098P90: $301,685

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in New York, NY is $198,846/yr compared to $195,098/yr in Los Angeles, CA. New York pays 2% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $137,135/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 New York vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in New York, NY takes home approximately $133,037/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.