Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO

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

San Francisco, CA
$153,495
/ year
+20%
difference
Denver, CO
$127,569
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$153,495✓ higher
$127,569
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$99,264✓ higher
$82,498
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$237,353✓ higher
$197,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$103,354✓ higher
$87,707
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$91,366
$111,903✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$99,264✓ higher
$82,498
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$237,353✓ higher
$197,263

What if you move from San Francisco to Denver?

Gross salary change
$25,926
20% decrease
Take-home change
$15,647
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$20,537
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$153,495
P10: $99,264Median: $153,495P90: $237,353
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 San Francisco or Denver?

The median Network Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $153,495/yr compared to $127,569/yr in Denver, CO. San Francisco pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $91,366/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 San Francisco vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $103,354/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.