Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs London

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

San Francisco, CA
$235,345
/ year
+70%
difference
London
$138,701
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
London
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$235,345✓ higher
$138,701
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$152,197✓ higher
$89,697
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$363,919✓ higher
$214,477
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$157,733✓ higher
$94,317
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$140,086✓ higher
$92,467
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.50×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,197✓ higher
$70,861
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$363,919✓ higher
$169,437

What if you move from San Francisco to London?

Gross salary change
$96,644
70% decrease
Take-home change
$63,416
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$47,619
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
London$138,701
P10: $70,861Median: $138,701P90: $169,437

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 PhiladelphiaLondon vs ManchesterLondon vs BirminghamLondon vs EdinburghLondon vs BristolAll Data Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $235,345/yr compared to £109,574/yr in London. San Francisco pays 70% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or London 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 $92,467/yr for London. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $157,733/yr, vs $94,317/yr in London. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.