Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY

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

Los Angeles, CA
$213,054
/ year
-5%
difference
New York, NY
$224,905
/ 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
Los Angeles
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$213,054
$224,905✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$137,781
$145,445✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$329,450
$347,776✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$142,698
$150,757✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,387
$155,107✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$137,781
$145,445✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$329,450
$347,776✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to New York?

Gross salary change
+$11,851
5% increase
Take-home change
+$8,059
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$720
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$213,054
P10: $137,781Median: $213,054P90: $329,450
New York, NY$224,905
P10: $145,445Median: $224,905P90: $347,776

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or New York?

The median Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $213,054/yr compared to $224,905/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or New York after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $154,387/yr in a median-cost city, vs $155,107/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Los Angeles vs New York?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $142,698/yr, vs $150,757/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.