Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Atlanta, GA

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

Toronto
$134,230
/ year
-5%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$141,734
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$134,230
$141,734โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$86,806
$91,659โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$207,563
$219,167โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,276
$96,256โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,384
$134,985โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,056โœ“ higher
$91,659
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$282,286โœ“ higher
$219,167

What if you move from Toronto to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
+$7,504
5% increase
Take-home change
+$4,980
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$27,601
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$134,230
P10: $118,056Median: $134,230P90: $282,286
Atlanta, GA$141,734
P10: $91,659Median: $141,734P90: $219,167

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Engineer earn more in Toronto or Atlanta?

The median Data Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$182,553/yr compared to $141,734/yr in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta pays 5% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $107,384/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,985/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Toronto vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $91,276/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.