Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Atlanta, GA

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

Toronto
$151,781
/ year
-11%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$169,692
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$151,781
$169,692โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$98,156
$109,739โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,702
$262,399โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,104
$113,212โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,425
$161,611โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$133,492โœ“ higher
$109,739
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$319,195โœ“ higher
$262,399

What if you move from Toronto to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
+$17,911
11% increase
Take-home change
+$19,108
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$40,186
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$151,781
P10: $133,492Median: $151,781P90: $319,195
Atlanta, GA$169,692
P10: $109,739Median: $169,692P90: $262,399

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Security Engineer earn more in Toronto or Atlanta?

The median Security Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$206,422/yr compared to $169,692/yr in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta pays 11% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $121,425/yr in a median-cost city, vs $161,611/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Toronto vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $94,104/yr, vs $113,212/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.