Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Los Angeles, CA
$213,054
/ year
+25%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$170,681
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$213,054✓ higher
$170,681
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$137,781✓ higher
$110,379
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$329,450✓ higher
$263,928
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$142,698✓ higher
$113,885
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,387
$158,038✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$137,781✓ higher
$110,379
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$329,450✓ higher
$263,928

What if you move from Los Angeles to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$42,373
25% decrease
Take-home change
$28,813
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,651
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
Philadelphia, PA$170,681
P10: $110,379Median: $170,681P90: $263,928

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $213,054/yr compared to $170,681/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Los Angeles pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Philadelphia 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 $158,038/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $142,698/yr, vs $113,885/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.