Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Denver, CO vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Denver, CO
$119,009
/ year
-17%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$143,229
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$119,009
$143,229✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$76,963
$92,626✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$184,026
$221,478✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$82,541
$97,158✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$104,394✓ higher
$103,789
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$76,963
$92,626✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$184,026
$221,478✓ higher

What if you move from Denver to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$24,220
17% increase
Take-home change
+$14,617
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$605
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

Denver, CO$119,009
P10: $76,963Median: $119,009P90: $184,026
Los Angeles, CA$143,229
P10: $92,626Median: $143,229P90: $221,478

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Denver or Los Angeles?

The median Network Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $119,009/yr compared to $143,229/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Denver or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $104,394/yr in a median-cost city, vs $103,789/yr for Los Angeles. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Denver vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $82,541/yr, vs $97,158/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.