Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA

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

San Francisco, CA
$244,299
/ year
-1%
difference
Seattle, WA
$245,860
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Seattle
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$244,299
$245,860✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$157,987
$158,997✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$377,765
$380,179✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$163,553
$164,568✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$145,416
$173,141✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.42×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$157,987
$158,997✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$377,765
$380,179✓ higher

What if you move from San Francisco to Seattle?

Gross salary change
+$1,561
1% increase
Take-home change
+$1,015
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$27,725
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$244,299
P10: $157,987Median: $244,299P90: $377,765
Seattle, WA$245,860
P10: $158,997Median: $245,860P90: $380,179

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $244,299/yr compared to $245,860/yr in Seattle, WA. Seattle pays 1% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $145,416/yr in a median-cost city, vs $173,141/yr for Seattle. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $163,553/yr, vs $164,568/yr in Seattle, WA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.