Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Toronto
$134,230
/ year
-13%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$154,948
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$134,230
$154,948✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,806
$100,204✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$207,563
$239,600✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,276
$104,231✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,384
$112,281✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,056✓ higher
$100,204
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$282,286✓ higher
$239,600

What if you move from Toronto to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$20,718
13% increase
Take-home change
+$12,955
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,897
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

Toronto$134,230
P10: $118,056Median: $134,230P90: $282,286
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 Toronto or Los Angeles?

The median Data Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$182,553/yr compared to $154,948/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 13% more in gross terms.

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

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

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