Salary Comparison

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

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

Washington DC, DC
$212,359
/ year
+8%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$195,742
/ 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
Washington DC
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$212,359✓ higher
$195,742
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$137,332✓ higher
$126,585
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$328,376✓ higher
$302,680
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$142,226✓ higher
$130,926
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$149,549✓ higher
$141,842
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.38×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$137,332✓ higher
$126,585
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$328,376✓ higher
$302,680

What if you move from Washington DC to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
$16,617
8% decrease
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

Washington DC, DC$212,359
P10: $137,332Median: $212,359P90: $328,376
Los Angeles, CA$195,742
P10: $126,585Median: $195,742P90: $302,680

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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