Salary Comparison

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$113,753
/ year
-11%
difference
Denver, CO
$127,569
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$113,753
$127,569✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$73,564
$82,498✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$175,899
$197,263✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$79,369
$87,707✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$82,430
$111,903✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$73,564
$82,498✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$175,899
$197,263✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$13,816
11% increase
Take-home change
+$8,338
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$29,473
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

Los Angeles, CA$113,753
P10: $73,564Median: $113,753P90: $175,899
Denver, CO$127,569
P10: $82,498Median: $127,569P90: $197,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Network Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $113,753/yr compared to $127,569/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 11% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $82,430/yr in a median-cost city, vs $111,903/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $79,369/yr, vs $87,707/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.