Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$281,690
/ year
+18%
difference
Boston, MA
$237,946
/ year
Bottom line: Boston offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$281,690✓ higher
$237,946
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$182,168✓ higher
$153,879
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$435,584✓ higher
$367,941
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$187,858✓ higher
$159,424
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$167,673
$169,961✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$182,168✓ higher
$153,879
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$435,584✓ higher
$367,941

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$43,744
18% decrease
Take-home change
$28,434
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,288
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

San Francisco, CA$281,690
P10: $182,168Median: $281,690P90: $435,584
Boston, MA$237,946
P10: $153,879Median: $237,946P90: $367,941

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Machine Learning Engineer earn more in San Francisco or Boston?

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $281,690/yr compared to $237,946/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 18% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $167,673/yr in a median-cost city, vs $169,961/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $187,858/yr, vs $159,424/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.