Salary Comparison

Machine Learning Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Seattle, WA
$245,169
/ year
+33%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$184,100
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$245,169✓ higher
$184,100
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$158,550✓ higher
$119,057
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$379,111✓ higher
$284,678
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$164,119✓ higher
$123,010
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$172,654✓ higher
$170,463
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$158,550✓ higher
$119,057
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$379,111✓ higher
$284,678

What if you move from Seattle to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$61,069
33% decrease
Take-home change
$41,109
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,191
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

Seattle, WA$245,169
P10: $158,550Median: $245,169P90: $379,111
Philadelphia, PA$184,100
P10: $119,057Median: $184,100P90: $284,678

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Machine Learning Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $245,169/yr compared to $184,100/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Seattle pays 33% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $172,654/yr in a median-cost city, vs $170,463/yr for Philadelphia. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Machine Learning Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $164,119/yr, vs $123,010/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.