Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA

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

Los Angeles, CA
$213,054
/ year
+7%
difference
San Diego, CA
$199,625
/ year
Bottom line: San Diego offers better purchasing power despite Los Angeles paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$213,054✓ higher
$199,625
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$137,781✓ higher
$129,097
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$329,450✓ higher
$308,685
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$142,698✓ higher
$133,567
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$154,387
$155,957✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$137,781✓ higher
$129,097
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$329,450✓ higher
$308,685

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$13,429
7% decrease
Take-home change
$9,131
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,570
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
San Diego, CA$199,625
P10: $129,097Median: $199,625P90: $308,685

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $213,054/yr compared to $199,625/yr in San Diego, CA. Los Angeles pays 7% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or San Diego 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 $155,957/yr for San Diego. San Diego offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $142,698/yr, vs $133,567/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.