Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Washington DC, DC vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Washington DC, DC
$194,616
/ year
+46%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$133,210
/ year
Bottom line: Phoenix offers better purchasing power despite Washington DC paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Washington DC
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$194,616✓ higher
$133,210
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$125,857✓ higher
$86,146
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$300,939✓ higher
$205,986
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,160✓ higher
$91,112
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$137,054
$137,330✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$125,857✓ higher
$86,146
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$300,939✓ higher
$205,986

What if you move from Washington DC to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$61,406
46% decrease
Take-home change
$39,048
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$276
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
Phoenix, AZ$133,210
P10: $86,146Median: $133,210P90: $205,986

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC is $194,616/yr compared to $133,210/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Washington DC pays 46% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Engineer salary worth more in Washington DC or Phoenix 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 $137,330/yr for Phoenix. Phoenix offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Washington DC, DC takes home approximately $130,160/yr, vs $91,112/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.