Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs San Antonio, TX

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

San Francisco, CA
$281,690
/ year
+87%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$150,432
/ year
Bottom line: San Antonio offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$281,690✓ higher
$150,432
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$182,168✓ higher
$97,284
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$435,584✓ higher
$232,616
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$187,858✓ higher
$101,505
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$167,673
$170,945✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$182,168✓ higher
$97,284
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$435,584✓ higher
$232,616

What if you move from San Francisco to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$131,258
87% decrease
Take-home change
$86,353
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,272
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
San Antonio, TX$150,432
P10: $97,284Median: $150,432P90: $232,616

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $281,690/yr compared to $150,432/yr in San Antonio, TX. San Francisco pays 87% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Machine Learning Engineer salary worth more in San Francisco or San Antonio 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 $170,945/yr for San Antonio. San Antonio offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $187,858/yr, vs $101,505/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.