Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Washington DC, DC

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

San Francisco, CA
$235,345
/ year
+21%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$194,616
/ 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
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$235,345✓ higher
$194,616
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$152,197✓ higher
$125,857
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$363,919✓ higher
$300,939
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$157,733✓ higher
$130,160
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$140,086✓ higher
$137,054
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.42×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$152,197✓ higher
$125,857
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$363,919✓ higher
$300,939

What if you move from San Francisco to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
$40,729
21% decrease
Take-home change
$27,573
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,032
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
Washington DC, DC$194,616
P10: $125,857Median: $194,616P90: $300,939

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $235,345/yr compared to $194,616/yr in Washington DC, DC. San Francisco pays 21% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or Washington DC 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 $137,054/yr for Washington DC. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $157,733/yr, vs $130,160/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.