Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Washington DC, DC vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Washington DC, DC
$194,616
/ year
0%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,098
/ 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
Washington DC
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,616
$195,098✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$125,857
$126,169✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,939
$301,685✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,160
$130,488✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,054
$141,375✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,857
$126,169✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,939
$301,685✓ higher

What if you move from Washington DC to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$482
0% increase
Take-home change
+$328
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,321
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

Washington DC, DC$194,616
P10: $125,857Median: $194,616P90: $300,939
Los Angeles, CA$195,098
P10: $126,169Median: $195,098P90: $301,685

More Data Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Engineer earn more in Washington DC or Los Angeles?

The median Data Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC is $194,616/yr compared to $195,098/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 0% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Washington DC or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Washington DC salary has the purchasing power of $137,054/yr in a median-cost city, vs $141,375/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $130,160/yr, vs $130,488/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.