Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Atlanta, GA

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

San Francisco, CA
$204,106
/ year
+44%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$141,734
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$204,106✓ higher
$141,734
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$131,994✓ higher
$91,659
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$315,614✓ higher
$219,167
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$136,614✓ higher
$96,256
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,492
$134,985✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$131,994✓ higher
$91,659
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$315,614✓ higher
$219,167

What if you move from San Francisco to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$62,372
44% decrease
Take-home change
$40,358
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$13,493
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$204,106
P10: $131,994Median: $204,106P90: $315,614
Atlanta, GA$141,734
P10: $91,659Median: $141,734P90: $219,167

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Atlanta?

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $204,106/yr compared to $141,734/yr in Atlanta, GA. San Francisco pays 44% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $121,492/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,985/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $136,614/yr, vs $96,256/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.