Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Washington DC, DC

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

Austin, TX
$190,362
/ year
-20%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$237,705
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$190,362
$237,705✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$123,106
$153,723✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$294,361
$367,569✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$127,268
$159,267✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$169,966✓ higher
$167,398
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$123,106
$153,723✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$294,361
$367,569✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$47,343
20% increase
Take-home change
+$31,999
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,568
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

Austin, TX$190,362
P10: $123,106Median: $190,362P90: $294,361
Washington DC, DC$237,705
P10: $153,723Median: $237,705P90: $367,569

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Austin or Washington DC?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $190,362/yr compared to $237,705/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in Austin or Washington DC after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $169,966/yr in a median-cost city, vs $167,398/yr for Washington DC. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin vs Washington DC?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $127,268/yr, vs $159,267/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.