Salary Comparison

Network Engineer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs New York, NY

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

Seattle, WA
$151,026
/ year
-4%
difference
New York, NY
$156,625
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,026
$156,625✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$97,668
$101,289✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$233,535
$242,193✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$101,864
$105,243✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,356
$108,017✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$97,668
$101,289✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$233,535
$242,193✓ higher

What if you move from Seattle to New York?

Gross salary change
+$5,599
4% increase
Take-home change
+$3,379
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,661
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$151,026
P10: $97,668Median: $151,026P90: $233,535
New York, NY$156,625
P10: $101,289Median: $156,625P90: $242,193

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Network Engineer earn more in Seattle or New York?

The median Network Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $151,026/yr compared to $156,625/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Network Engineer salary worth more in Seattle or New York after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $106,356/yr in a median-cost city, vs $108,017/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Network Engineer in Seattle vs New York?

After estimated taxes, a Network Engineer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $101,864/yr, vs $105,243/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.