Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Denver, CO vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Denver, CO
$187,822
/ year
-20%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$234,282
/ 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
Denver
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$187,822
$234,282✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$121,464
$151,509✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$290,434
$362,276✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$125,541
$157,042✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$164,756
$169,770✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$121,464
$151,509✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$290,434
$362,276✓ higher

What if you move from Denver to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$46,460
20% increase
Take-home change
+$31,501
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,014
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

Denver, CO$187,822
P10: $121,464Median: $187,822P90: $290,434
Los Angeles, CA$234,282
P10: $151,509Median: $234,282P90: $362,276

More Machine Learning Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $187,822/yr compared to $234,282/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $164,756/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,770/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $125,541/yr, vs $157,042/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.