Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Atlanta, GA
$107,312
/ year
-3%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$110,717
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$107,312
$110,717✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$69,398
$71,600✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$165,939
$171,204✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$75,482
$77,537✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$102,202
$102,516✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×✓ lower
1.08×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$69,398
$71,600✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$165,939
$171,204✓ higher

What if you move from Atlanta to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
+$3,405
3% increase
Take-home change
+$2,055
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$314
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

Atlanta, GA$107,312
P10: $69,398Median: $107,312P90: $165,939
Philadelphia, PA$110,717
P10: $71,600Median: $110,717P90: $171,204

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Atlanta or Philadelphia?

The median Network Engineer salary in Atlanta, GA is $107,312/yr compared to $110,717/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Atlanta or Philadelphia after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $102,202/yr in a median-cost city, vs $102,516/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Atlanta vs Philadelphia?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $75,482/yr, vs $77,537/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.