Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Washington DC, DC

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

Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ year
-8%
difference
Washington DC, DC
$212,359
/ year
Bottom line: Washington DC wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Washington DC
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$195,742
$212,359✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$126,585
$137,332✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$302,680
$328,376✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$130,926
$142,226✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$141,842
$149,549✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×✓ lower
1.42×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$126,585
$137,332✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$302,680
$328,376✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Washington DC?

Gross salary change
+$16,617
8% increase
Take-home change
+$11,300
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,707
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$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680
Washington DC, DC$212,359
P10: $137,332Median: $212,359P90: $328,376

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Los Angeles or Washington DC?

The median Software Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $195,742/yr compared to $212,359/yr in Washington DC, DC. Washington DC pays 8% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Washington DC after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $141,842/yr in a median-cost city, vs $149,549/yr for Washington DC. Washington DC offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Los Angeles vs Washington DC?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $130,926/yr, vs $142,226/yr in Washington DC, DC. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.