Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Singapore vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Singapore
$159,758
/ year
-25%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$213,054
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Singapore
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,758
$213,054✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,315
$137,781✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,038
$329,450✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,050
$142,698✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$114,113
$154,387✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$138,442✓ higher
$137,781
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$331,031✓ higher
$329,450

What if you move from Singapore to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$53,296
25% increase
Take-home change
+$43,648
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$40,274
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

Singapore$159,758
P10: $138,442Median: $159,758P90: $331,031
Los Angeles, CA$213,054
P10: $137,781Median: $213,054P90: $329,450

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Singapore is S$214,076/yr compared to $213,054/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 25% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Singapore salary has the purchasing power of $114,113/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,387/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Singapore takes home approximately $99,050/yr, vs $142,698/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.