Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO

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

San Francisco, CA
$235,345
/ year
+44%
difference
Denver, CO
$163,258
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$235,345✓ higher
$163,258
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$152,197✓ higher
$105,578
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$363,919✓ higher
$252,450
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$157,733✓ higher
$109,246
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$140,086
$143,209✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,197✓ higher
$105,578
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$363,919✓ higher
$252,450

What if you move from San Francisco to Denver?

Gross salary change
$72,087
44% decrease
Take-home change
$48,487
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,123
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$235,345
P10: $152,197Median: $235,345P90: $363,919
Denver, CO$163,258
P10: $105,578Median: $163,258P90: $252,450

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs ChicagoSan Francisco vs HoustonSan Francisco vs PhoenixSan Francisco vs PhiladelphiaAll Data Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $235,345/yr compared to $163,258/yr in Denver, CO. San Francisco pays 44% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $140,086/yr in a median-cost city, vs $143,209/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $157,733/yr, vs $109,246/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.