Salary Comparison

Site Reliability 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
$225,756
/ year
+11%
difference
San Diego, CA
$204,153
/ 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
Los Angeles
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$225,756✓ higher
$204,153
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$145,995✓ higher
$132,025
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$349,092✓ higher
$315,687
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$151,336✓ higher
$136,646
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$163,591✓ higher
$159,495
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$145,995✓ higher
$132,025
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$349,092✓ higher
$315,687

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$21,603
11% decrease
Take-home change
$14,690
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,096
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$225,756
P10: $145,995Median: $225,756P90: $349,092
San Diego, CA$204,153
P10: $132,025Median: $204,153P90: $315,687

More Site Reliability Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Site Reliability Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $225,756/yr compared to $204,153/yr in San Diego, CA. Los Angeles pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Site Reliability 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 $163,591/yr in a median-cost city, vs $159,495/yr for San Diego. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Site Reliability Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $151,336/yr, vs $136,646/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.