Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

San Francisco, CA
$204,106
/ year
+32%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$154,948
/ 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
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$204,106✓ higher
$154,948
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$131,994✓ higher
$100,204
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$315,614✓ higher
$239,600
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$136,614✓ higher
$104,231
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,492✓ higher
$112,281
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$131,994✓ higher
$100,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$315,614✓ higher
$239,600

What if you move from San Francisco to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$49,158
32% decrease
Take-home change
$32,383
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$9,211
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
Los Angeles, CA$154,948
P10: $100,204Median: $154,948P90: $239,600

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $204,106/yr compared to $154,948/yr in Los Angeles, CA. San Francisco pays 32% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Los Angeles 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 $112,281/yr for Los Angeles. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $136,614/yr, vs $104,231/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.