Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Boston, MA
$222,139
/ year
+19%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$186,067
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$222,139✓ higher
$186,067
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$143,656✓ higher
$120,329
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$343,499✓ higher
$287,720
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$148,876✓ higher
$124,347
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$158,671✓ higher
$134,831
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$143,656✓ higher
$120,329
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$343,499✓ higher
$287,720

What if you move from Boston to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$36,072
19% decrease
Take-home change
$24,529
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$23,840
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

Boston, MA$222,139
P10: $143,656Median: $222,139P90: $343,499
Los Angeles, CA$186,067
P10: $120,329Median: $186,067P90: $287,720

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in Boston or Los Angeles?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Boston, MA is $222,139/yr compared to $186,067/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Boston pays 19% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in Boston or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $158,671/yr in a median-cost city, vs $134,831/yr for Los Angeles. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Machine Learning Engineer in Boston vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $148,876/yr, vs $124,347/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.